Should You Remove Strawberry Runners?

Strawberry runners are side shoots that can root and develop into new plants. They are useful if you want to propagate plants, but they may compete for resources when fruit production is the priority. The University of Minnesota Extension advises removing them during the season on day-neutral varieties specifically to encourage a heavier crop.

Why do strawberry plants produce runners?

Runners, also known as stolons, are the strawberry plant’s natural method of vegetative propagation. They grow out from the parent plant, spread sideways and can root in the soil, creating what are known as daughter plants.

This process is helpful when the aim is to expand the planting. However, in day-neutral strawberry production systems, runners are not needed, and the University of Minnesota itself advises removing them throughout the season because they can divert energy away from fruit production.

When can removing runners improve the harvest?

For day-neutral varieties, taking off runners during the growing season is part of the management approach recommended by the University of Minnesota. The guidance is to remove them to promote higher fruit yields, as these plants continue to flower and produce fruit for much of the season.

The position differs for June-bearing varieties. In this case, runners and daughter plants may be important for filling out rows in a matted-row growing system. Even so, where they cause excessive crowding, some should be removed to prevent the bed from becoming overrun with new plants.

How can you remove runners without harming the strawberry plant?

When the intention is to keep the plant focused on fruiting, side shoots can be cut with clean scissors. Make the cut close to the parent plant, without pulling the runner hard or damaging the crown or roots.

If the aim is to propagate strawberry plants, the approach changes. Rather than removing every runner, some can be guided towards a selected area of the bed and gently pressed against the soil to encourage the new plant to take root.

Who should remove runners during the growing season?

The decision chiefly depends on the purpose of the crop. Those wanting to increase their number of plants can make use of runners and control only the ones that appear in excess. In contrast, anyone aiming to harvest more fruit, particularly from day-neutral varieties, should remove them regularly throughout the season.

For this reason, removing strawberry runners does not mean that these shoots are harmful. They are important for the plant’s reproduction, but they can compete with the main purpose of the crop. Correct management means deciding whether to propagate new plants or focus growth on strawberry production.