Native Plant Database

Header Photo: Mervin Wallace

Wild Strawberry

Fragaria virginiana
Plant Type: Herbaceous Perennials
Native Environment: Prairie, Savanna / Woodland
Season of Interest: Early (Feb - Apr), Mid (May - June), Late (July - frost), Winter (Nov - Mar)
Main Color: White
Fall Color: Green, Red

USDA PLANTS Range Map

At the range map link above, zoom in for county-level data

Wild strawberry by Mervin Wallace
Photo: Mervin Wallace
Sun Exposure 
Full Sun
Soil
Moisture
Dry, Moderate, High
Nature Attracting
Butterfly, Pollinators/Beneficial Insects, Songbirds
Wildlife Benefit
Butterfly / Moth Host, Food/Birds, Food/Pollinators, Food/Small Animals
Animal
Resistance
Size

Height:

6 to
10
inches

Spread:

18 to
inches
Size
Height: 6 to
10
inches
Spread: 18 to
inches
Size
Height: 6 to
10
inches
Spread: 18 to
inches
Typical Landscape Use
Groundcover. Scatter between larger plants in beds to help control weeds.
Establishment and Care Instructions
Early dormancy occurs during drought without watering. Requires multiple seedlings to ensure male and female plant have successful fruiting. Plant two feet apart.
Special Features
Evergreen
Special Usage
Edible, Ground Cover
Basic Description

Fast-growing perennial ground cover that spreads by above-ground runners. Has showy pure-white flowers in early spring. Most plants are male or female. Good companion to fruit trees. Larval host for the gray hairstreak butterfly (Strymon melinus).  Note: This resource on this edible plant is intended as general information only. As with any foods, there is a potential for allergic reactions when consuming native edibles. Always seek the advice of a health professional with any questions about touching or eating any plant matter.

 

Hand holding red berries.

Fruits of Wild Strawberry are edible. Photo: Carol Davit

Where Should I Start?

Check out the Grow Native! Committee’s Top Ten picks of native plants for a particular purpose.

What’s the Next Step?

Picked out your plants? View our Resource Guide of garden centers, seed sources, landscapers, education resources, and more!

Where Can I Find This Plant in Nature?

Learn about the Native Environment(s) inhabited by the plants in this database.

Support the Grow Native! Program
Skip to content