Data provided by the participants of the Consortium of California Herbaria

View additional distribution information on the Jepson eflora

Beach Strawberry (Fragaria chiloensis) is one of the two strawberry species used to create the modern garden strawberry.

In spring to early summer, it blooms with beautiful white flowers, which are later replaced by unique red fruits. Local bees and butterflies pollinate flowers and its fruits draw the attention of a variety of insects, birds and mammals.

It has dark-green, glossy leaves that turn red in fall. It has a creeping habit and spreads at a moderate rate. Plant in very low to low moisture, and in sandy soil.

Plant type

Perennial herb

Size

1 - 4 in Tall
2 - 3 ft Wide

Form

Spreading

Growth rate

Moderate

Dormancy

Evergreen

Fragrance

Slight

Calscape icon
Color

White

Flowering season

Spring, Summer, Winter

Special uses

Containers, Deer resistant, Groundcover, Lawn alternative

Sun

Partial Shade, Full Sun

Water

Moderate

Summer irrigation

Max 1x / month once established, Max 2x / month once established

Ease of care

Easy

Cold tolerance

Tolerates cold to 25° F

Soil drainage

Fast

Soil description

Prefers sandy soils.
Soil PH: 5.6 - 6.3

Maintenance

Can be cut back at any time.

Propagation

Divide rooted runners and transplant.

Sunset Zones

4*, 5*, 7, 8, 9, 14*, 15*, 16*, 17*, 19, 20, 21, 22*, 23*, 24*

Site type

Ocean beaches, dunes, coastal grassland

Plant communities

Coastal Strand, Northern Coastal Scrub

Use with other low-growing coastal plants such as Sand Verbena (Abronia latifolia or umbellata), Beach bur (Ambrosia chamissonis), Beach Morning Glory (Calystegia soldanella), Seaside Daisy (Erigeron spp.), and Oregon Gumweed (Grindelia stricta)

Bats
Birds
Caterpillars
Butterflies

Butterflies and moths supported

3 confirmed and 32 likely

Confirmed Likely

Clepsis fucana

Drab Brown Wave

Lobocleta ossularia

Filament Bearer

Nematocampa resistaria

Luteus Dart Moth

Abagrotis trigona