How to Propagate Strawberries from Runners

Illustration of strawberries growing in terracotta pots

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Propagating strawberries from runners is a straightforward method of asexual reproduction that allows gardeners to expand their harvest or replace aging plants with genetically identical clones. Runners, botanically known as stolons, are long stems that grow horizontally from the parent plant. At various points along these stems, small plantlets develop. Once these plantlets establish their own root systems in the soil, they become independent plants.

Table of Contents

Understanding strawberry runner types

Not all strawberry varieties produce runners with the same frequency or vigour. Understanding the type of strawberry you are propagating will help you manage your expectations for the number of new plants you can produce.

Summer-fruiting strawberries: These are the most prolific producers of runners. They typically provide a heavy crop of fruit in early to mid-summer and then dedicate significant energy to producing numerous runners to spread the colony.
Perpetual strawberries: Also known as everbearers, these varieties produce fruit in smaller flushes from early summer through autumn. Because they allocate more energy to continuous fruiting, they generally produce fewer runners than summer types.
Alpine strawberries: These dainty plants vary; some produce runners to form low ground cover, while others do not produce runners at all and must be propagated via seed or division.

Timing and preparation

Choose runners from healthy, productive parent plants; do not propagate a plant with suspected virus or unexplained decline. Late summer is a useful time to root runners. This timing allows the new plantlets sufficient time to develop a robust root system before the onset of winter frosts, giving them time to establish before the following growing season.

To begin, you will need a few essential materials to ensure the runners root successfully without being damaged by wind or pests. Prepare 9cm pots filled with a peat-free multi-purpose compost. Rooting into a separate pot keeps the new root ball easier to lift without disturbance.

Step-by-step propagation process

Follow these practical steps to ensure a high success rate when rooting your strawberry plantlets:

Position the pots: Place your prepared 9cm pots directly on the soil surface beside the parent plant. Position them close enough that the runner can reach the pot without being stretched to its absolute limit.
Insert the runner: Gently guide the end of a runner—specifically the part where a small plantlet has formed—into the compost of the pot. Do not bury the crown of the plantlet too deeply; the base of the crown should rest lightly on the surface of the compost.
Secure the stem: To prevent the runner from being pulled out by wind or animal activity, use a U-shaped piece of wire (approximately 15cm long) to peg the runner down firmly into the compost. This ensures constant contact between the plantlet’s emerging roots and the moist medium.
Maintain moisture: Keep the compost in the pots slightly moist. Avoid saturating the soil, as this can lead to rot, but ensure it does not dry out completely, as consistent moisture is critical for promoting rapid root growth.
Sever the connection: Once the plantlet has established a strong root system and appears healthy, use clean garden shears to cut the runner stem connecting the new plant to the parent.

Planting and establishing new runners

Once the runners are severed and ready for permanent planting, the depth of the crown is the most critical factor for survival. The crown is the thickened part of the stem where the roots meet the leaves.

Too deep: If the crown is buried under soil, it is highly susceptible to rotting.
Too shallow: If the crown is left exposed above the soil line, the plant may dry out quickly and fail to thrive.

For ground planting, dig a hole large enough for the roots and spread them out. Ensure the base of the crown rests exactly on the soil surface before firming the soil gently with your fingers. If planting in containers, use a large pot with peat-free multi-purpose compost and space plants approximately 20cm apart.

Post-propagation care and maintenance

Newly propagated plants require specific care to ensure they reach maturity. Water them regularly while they are establishing, but avoid wetting the crown or the fruit, as this can encourage fungal issues such as grey mould (Botrytis cinerea). Watering in the morning is recommended so that any accidental splashes on the foliage have time to dry before nightfall.

In late winter or early spring, you can mulch the area with well-rotted organic matter to improve soil fertility and suppress weeds. However, leave a small gap around the base of the crown to prevent the mulch from causing the stem to rot. For those growing in containers, a general-purpose liquid feed can be applied fortnightly during the growing season, switching to a high-potassium feed once the first flower buds appear to encourage fruit development.

Managing unwanted runners

While it is tempting to let every runner root, overcrowding can diminish the quality of the harvest. If you have more runners than available space, remove the unwanted ones. This prevents the parent plant from wasting energy on offspring that cannot be utilized and ensures that the remaining plants have sufficient air circulation and nutrients. This is particularly important for summer-fruiting varieties, which can quickly take over a garden bed if left unchecked.

Useful products for this job

The links below open Amazon UK product searches. Check the exact item, seller, current price and compatibility before buying.

Small propagation pots: Holds a runner's root ball separately while it establishes. Ensure pots have drainage holes to prevent the young plantlets from becoming waterlogged. Search Amazon for Small propagation pots.
U-shaped garden pegs: Necessary to secure the runner stem to the compost to ensure consistent root contact. Check that the length is approximately 15cm to provide sufficient stability in the pot. Search Amazon for U-shaped garden pegs.

Related garden guides

Sources and further guidance

Guidance researched in September 2026. The feature image is an AI-generated illustration. Product guidance is based on published information, not hands-on testing.