How to Replant Strawberry Runners

Strawberry runner
Propagating Strawberry Runners

How to Replant Strawberry Runners

My strawberries have runners (baby strawberry plants) off them. Can I replant them, and what should I do with the main plant for next season? Also, what’s the best way to refresh the soil?

Yes, you can replant strawberry runners. The main rule is simple: leave the runner attached to the mother plant until the new plant has rooted. In New Zealand, May–July is a great time to plant new strawberry plants into the garden so they establish well and fruit in summer.

Method 1: Root runners in the garden (plant them where they’ll stay)

  1. Choose a healthy runner with a strong plantlet (fresh leaves and a clear crown).
  2. Prepare the spot. If drainage is slow, build a raised/mounded row about 200 mm high. Mix in fresh compost and firm lightly.
  3. Place the plantlet on the soil where you want it to grow and peg it down so the base sits firmly against the soil.
  4. Keep the soil lightly moist while roots form.
  5. Cut the runner once it has rooted (it resists a gentle tug and/or you can see roots). Use clean snips and cut the runner stem between the mother plant and the new plant.
  6. Space plants 30–40 cm apart and keep the crown at soil level (don’t bury it). Mulch around plants, keeping mulch off the crown.


Method 2: Root runners into pots (so you can plant out later)

  1. Place a small pot of Daltons Premium Potting Mix next to the mother plant.
  2. Sit the runner plantlet on the potting mix and peg it down so the base stays in contact with the mix.
  3. Keep the pot evenly moist while roots form.
  4. Cut the runner only once the plantlet has rooted (it holds firmly in the pot / resists a gentle tug). Snip the runner stem between the mother plant and the new plant.
  5. Keep the potted plants watered and sheltered until you’re ready to plant out.
  6. Plant into the garden in May–July if possible. Plant into well prepared soil at the same depth as the pot, with the crown at soil level, spacing 30–40 cm apart.


What to do with the mother plant

Mother plants usually crop best in their first two seasons and can be kept for 2–3 years. After that, yields often drop, so remove older plants and replace them with your new runner-grown plants to keep the patch productive.

For more advice on growing strawberries, visit our Strawberry guide.

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