Strawberries are small, juicy fruits from the Fragaria genus in the rose family (Rosaceae), celebrated for their bright red color, sweet-tart flavor, and heart-shaped appeal. Unlike true berries botanically—since their seeds are on the outside—they’re technically “accessory fruits,” but that doesn’t dim their popularity. The garden strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa), bred in the 18th century from wild American and European species, is what we commonly eat today. They grow on low, leafy plants that spread via runners, making them a favorite in gardens, pots, and even hanging baskets.
The taste of strawberries is a standout feature—sweet with a hint of tanginess, thanks to natural sugars and organic acids. Their texture is soft yet firm, with tiny yellow seeds (achenes) dotting the surface, adding a slight crunch. They ripen from green to red when sugars peak, usually in late spring to early summer (May to July), though some varieties fruit into fall. A ripe strawberry smells fragrant and yields slightly to the touch; overripe ones turn mushy. They’re versatile—eaten fresh, baked into desserts, or turned into jams and sauces.
Growing strawberries is rewarding and manageable for beginners. They thrive in USDA zones 3-10, preferring full sun (6-8 hours daily) and well-drained, slightly acidic soil (pH 5.5-6.5). Plants come in three types: June-bearing (one big crop in early summer), everbearing (smaller crops all season), and day-neutral (consistent fruiting regardless of day length). They need regular watering—about an inch weekly—and mulch to keep fruit off the soil and deter pests like slugs. Each plant can yield up to a quart of berries, though birds and diseases like powdery mildew can pose challenges.
Strawberries pack a nutritional punch and boast a rich history. A cup delivers over 100% of your daily vitamin C, plus fiber, antioxidants, and manganese—all with low calories (about 50). They’ve been enjoyed since Roman times, when wild strawberries (Fragaria vesca) were prized, but cultivation took off in Europe by the 14th century. Today, varieties range from tiny alpine strawberries to plump hybrids like ‘Chandler’ or ‘Sequoia.’ Whether you’re picking them fresh or savoring their flavor in a dish, strawberries bring a burst of summer to every bite.
Types of Strawberries
Albion
A day-neutral variety, Albion produces firm, bright red berries with a sweet, intense flavor from late spring through fall. Fruits are medium to large, conical, and weigh about 1-2 ounces each. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s disease-resistant, especially to verticillium wilt, and thrives in full sun, making it a top pick for continuous harvests in home gardens or containers.
Chandler
A June-bearing type, Chandler is prized for its large, juicy berries with a deep red color and classic sweet-tart taste. Ripening in early summer (typically June), fruits can reach 2 ounces and are excellent for fresh eating or preserves. Hardy in zones 5-8, it’s a commercial favorite in California due to its high yields and robust flavor, though it needs well-drained soil to avoid rot.
Sequoia
This everbearing variety delivers medium-sized, dark red berries with a rich, sweet flavor from early summer into fall. Each fruit weighs around 1 ounce, perfect for snacking or baking. Hardy in zones 4-9, Sequoia is vigorous and adaptable, tolerating heat well, though it’s more susceptible to disease than modern hybrids, requiring attentive care.
Earliglow
A June-bearing strawberry, Earliglow is known for its early harvest (May to June) of small to medium, glossy red berries with exceptional sweetness. Fruits weigh about 0.5-1 ounce and have a firm texture ideal for freezing. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s disease-resistant and low-maintenance, making it a go-to for gardeners seeking early, flavorful berries.
Honeoye
Another June-bearing type, Honeoye produces large, bright red berries with a tangy-sweet taste, peaking in mid-June. Fruits average 1-1.5 ounces and hold up well for fresh eating or processing. Hardy in zones 3-8, it’s cold-tolerant and high-yielding, though it can be prone to fruit rot in wet conditions, needing good drainage.
Jewel
A June-bearing variety, Jewel offers medium to large, shiny red berries with a balanced sweet-tart flavor, ripening in late June. Each berry weighs 1-2 ounces, great for fresh use or desserts. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s resistant to leaf diseases and produces vigorously, appealing to growers who want reliable, attractive fruit.
Mara des Bois
This everbearing French hybrid delivers small, aromatic berries (0.5-1 ounce) with a wild strawberry flavor—sweet with a hint of tartness—from summer to frost. Hardy in zones 4-9, its deep red fruits are soft and best eaten fresh. It’s less productive than larger varieties but prized for its gourmet taste and compact plants.
Tristar
A day-neutral strawberry, Tristar bears medium-sized, firm red berries with a sweet, juicy taste from spring through fall. Fruits weigh about 0.5-1 ounce and excel in flavor consistency. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s disease-resistant and thrives in containers or small gardens, offering a steady supply for fresh eating or garnishes.
Alpine Strawberry (Fragaria vesca)
Unlike garden strawberries, these wild-type plants produce tiny, red or yellow berries (0.2-0.5 ounces) with an intense, sweet flavor year-round in mild climates. Hardy in zones 5-9, they’re everbearing, don’t form runners, and prefer partial shade, making them ideal for edging or ornamental gardens.
Camarosa
A June-bearing variety, Camarosa yields large, firm, deep red berries with a sweet-tart profile, peaking in early summer. Fruits can weigh 1.5-2 ounces and are favored for shipping due to their durability. Hardy in zones 5-8, it’s a commercial staple in warm climates like California, needing warm summers for peak production.
Ozark Beauty
An everbearing type, Ozark Beauty produces medium-sized, bright red berries with a sweet taste from early summer to fall. Each fruit weighs about 1 ounce, good for fresh eating or freezing. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s cold-tolerant and vigorous, offering two main crops with lighter yields between, perfect for cooler regions.
Allstar
A June-bearing variety, Allstar produces large, firm, bright red berries with a mild, sweet flavor, ripening in mid-June. Fruits average 1-2 ounces and are excellent for fresh eating or freezing due to their uniform shape and durability. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s highly resistant to diseases like verticillium wilt and red stele, making it a dependable choice for home growers.
Fragaria vesca ‘Alexandria’
An alpine strawberry, this everbearing type yields tiny, red berries (0.2-0.5 ounces) with a concentrated, sweet-tart taste from spring to frost. Hardy in zones 5-9, it lacks runners, staying compact for containers or borders, and prefers partial shade. Its delicate fruits are best for fresh eating or garnishes, offering a wild strawberry charm.
Festival
A June-bearing variety from Florida, Festival delivers medium to large, deep red berries with a sweet, juicy flavor in early summer. Fruits weigh 1-1.5 ounces and are firm, ideal for shipping or fresh markets. Hardy in zones 7-9, it resists disease well and thrives in warm climates, making it popular in the Southeast.
Fort Laramie
An everbearing strawberry, Fort Laramie produces medium-sized, bright red berries with a rich, sweet taste from early summer to fall. Each berry weighs about 0.5-1 ounce, perfect for fresh use or preserves. Hardy in zones 3-7, it’s exceptionally cold-tolerant, ideal for northern gardeners wanting multiple harvests.
Sparkle
A June-bearing type, Sparkle offers small to medium, glossy red berries with a soft, sweet flavor, peaking in mid to late June. Fruits weigh 0.5-1 ounce and are great for jams or fresh eating. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s an heirloom with good disease resistance, appealing to those who value traditional taste and texture.
Kent
A June-bearing variety, Kent yields large, firm, bright red berries with a balanced sweet-tart flavor in mid-June. Fruits average 1-1.5 ounces and hold up well for processing or fresh use. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s productive and moderately disease-resistant, though it prefers well-drained soil to avoid root issues.
Quinalt
An everbearing strawberry, Quinalt produces large, soft, dark red berries with a sweet, juicy taste from early summer through fall. Each berry can weigh 1-2 ounces, ideal for fresh eating. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s vigorous and cold-tolerant, offering consistent crops for gardeners in cooler climates.
Tribute
A day-neutral variety, Tribute bears medium-sized, firm red berries with a sweet-tart flavor from spring to fall. Fruits weigh about 0.5-1 ounce and resist diseases like red stele and powdery mildew. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s great for extended harvests in small gardens or containers, with a steady yield.
Annapolis
A June-bearing type, Annapolis ripens early (late May to June) with large, bright red berries that have a mild, sweet taste. Fruits average 1-1.5 ounces and are good for fresh eating or freezing. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s disease-resistant and productive, making it a solid choice for early summer harvests.
Fragaria vesca ‘Yellow Wonder’
This alpine, everbearing variety produces tiny, creamy yellow berries (0.2-0.5 ounces) with a sweet, pineapple-like flavor year-round in mild climates. Hardy in zones 5-9, it’s runner-free, perfect for edging or pots, and offers a unique color and taste that stands out from red varieties.
Cavendish
A June-bearing strawberry, Cavendish yields large, firm, red berries with a sweet-tart flavor in mid-June. Fruits weigh 1-2 ounces and are excellent for fresh use or preserves. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s resistant to red stele and verticillium wilt, providing high yields for gardeners in cooler regions.
Selva
A day-neutral variety, Selva produces large, conical, red berries with a firm texture and sweet flavor from spring through fall. Each berry weighs 1-2 ounces, suitable for fresh eating or shipping. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s vigorous and disease-resistant, offering a consistent crop for growers seeking versatility.
Sweet Charlie
A June-bearing strawberry from Florida, Sweet Charlie ripens early (late May to June) with medium to large, glossy red berries that are very sweet (high Brix). Fruits weigh 1-1.5 ounces and resist anthracnose, thriving in zones 7-9. It’s ideal for southern gardens, delivering a juicy, dessert-like quality.
Cabot
A June-bearing variety, Cabot produces very large, bright red berries with a sweet, juicy flavor, ripening in mid to late June. Fruits can weigh up to 2-3 ounces, making them ideal for fresh eating or showcasing in desserts. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s disease-resistant and high-yielding, though its big berries may need extra support to avoid soil contact.
Pineberry (Fragaria x ananassa ‘White Pine’)
This unique hybrid, an everbearing type, yields small, white to pale pink berries (0.5-1 ounce) with red seeds and a pineapple-strawberry flavor. Hardy in zones 4-8, it blooms from spring to fall, offering a novelty appeal for fresh eating or garnishes. It’s less productive but prized for its unusual look and taste.
Darselect
A June-bearing strawberry, Darselect delivers large, heart-shaped, bright red berries with a sweet, aromatic taste in early to mid-June. Fruits weigh 1-2 ounces and are excellent for fresh use or preserves. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s vigorous and moderately disease-resistant, thriving in well-drained soil for a robust early harvest.
Evie-2
A day-neutral variety, Evie-2 produces medium to large, firm red berries with a sweet flavor from late spring through fall. Each berry weighs about 1-1.5 ounces, great for consistent fresh eating. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s heat-tolerant and disease-resistant, making it a reliable choice for extended yields in diverse climates.
L’Amour
A June-bearing type, L’Amour offers medium-sized, glossy red berries with a balanced sweet-tart flavor, peaking in mid-June. Fruits weigh 1-1.5 ounces and hold up well for fresh use or freezing. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s resistant to leaf scorch and powdery mildew, appealing to growers seeking attractive, flavorful berries.
Hecker
An everbearing strawberry, Hecker yields small to medium, deep red berries with a sweet, intense taste from early summer to fall. Each berry weighs 0.5-1 ounce, perfect for fresh snacking. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s cold-tolerant and productive, ideal for northern gardens or small spaces like containers.
Rutgers Scarlet
A June-bearing variety from Rutgers University, Rutgers Scarlet produces medium to large, dark red berries with a sweet, rich flavor in mid-June. Fruits weigh 1-2 ounces and are good for fresh eating or processing. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s bred for disease resistance and flavor, suited for Northeast climates.
Fragaria vesca ‘Mignonette’
This alpine, everbearing strawberry grows tiny, red berries (0.2-0.5 ounces) with a delicate, sweet flavor year-round in mild climates. Hardy in zones 5-9, it’s runner-free, compact, and shade-tolerant, making it perfect for borders or pots where its petite size adds charm.
Northeaster
A June-bearing type, Northeaster ripens early (late May to June) with large, firm, red berries that have a tart-sweet taste. Fruits average 1-1.5 ounces and resist rot well, ideal for fresh use. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s bred for cold climates with good disease resistance, thriving in the Northeast.
Galletta
A June-bearing strawberry, Galletta offers large, bright red berries with a sweet, juicy flavor in early June. Each berry weighs 1-2 ounces, great for fresh eating or markets. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s productive and resistant to red stele and verticillium wilt, making it a solid early-season choice.
Aromas
A day-neutral variety, Aromas produces medium to large, firm red berries with a sweet-tart flavor from spring to fall. Fruits weigh 1-1.5 ounces and are excellent for extended harvests. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s disease-resistant and heat-tolerant, offering consistent quality for growers in varied conditions.
Clery
A June-bearing type, Clery ripens early (late May to June) with medium-sized, conical, red berries that are very sweet and aromatic. Fruits weigh 1-1.5 ounces, perfect for fresh eating. Hardy in zones 4-8, it’s resistant to leaf diseases and thrives in well-drained soil, favored for its early, flavorful yield.