Fragaria chiloensis aka Beach Strawberry

Taxonomy

Fragaria chiloensis, also known as the beach strawberry, Chilean strawberry, or coastal strawberry, is a low-growing, spreading perennial plant native to the Pacific Ocean coasts of North and South America. This species played a crucial role in the hybridization process that led to the creation of the modern garden strawberry. It features glossy dark green leaves held on pinkish-red leaf stalks, forming a dense ground cover. The plant produces large white flowers in April to May, followed by red fruits with a paler center that ripen from June to July. Fragaria chiloensis is dioecious, requiring both male and female plants for seed production, and is primarily pollinated by insects. It thrives in well-drained soil with a preference for moist conditions and can tolerate light woodland or no shade. While it can withstand strong winds, it is not adapted to maritime exposure.

Common names

Beach Strawberry, Chilean Strawberry, Chiloe Strawberry

How to care for Beach Strawberry

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Beach Strawberry due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Beach Strawberry should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Beach Strawberry loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Beach Strawberry thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Chiloe Strawberry.

Toxicity

No verified data on the toxicity of this plant exists within Ploi's records. Should you, someone in your family, or your pet ingest plant material with an unknown toxicity level, it is recommended to seek medical advice.

Humidity

The Beach Strawberry does not demand additional humidity levels. Water is mostly absorbed by the roots of plants, rather than their leaves, and the best way to provide humidity to your plants is through watering the soil.

Fertilizer

Once the Beach Strawberry has doubled in size or after a year has passed, it should be moved to a new pot. By replacing the soil with fresh potting soil containing all the vital nutrients, your plant will receive all the sustenance it needs, negating the requirement for fertilizer. It's important to remember that plants get their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Beach Strawberry’s native range is Temperate Northern Hemisphere and Southern South America.


More info:
Wikipedia