Growing Strawberries Indoors
Strawberries are one of those ‘high value’ crops that are perfect for growing indoors.
Home-grown berries are juicier, more flavorful and pesticide free when you grow them yourself.
Plus, strawberries are in season only a couple months out of the year at the grocery store. And buying strawberries at the store gets expensive quickly.
So if you want great tasting strawberries all year round, you have to grow them yourself indoors.
Here’s how to efficiently grow strawberries indoors using hydroponics.
Why Grow Strawberries Indoors Using Hydroponics?
Hydroponic gardening is my favorite way to garden, because it works easily and efficiently no matter where you live.
I live in New York City and just having a studio without roommates is a splurge here.
If you also live in a small apartment, condo or townhouse, space can make it challenging to garden.
I don’t even have any outdoor space, so I grow all my vegetables and produce indoors.
And for indoor gardening, hydroponics is the perfect method.
Here’s why!
No Soil, No Mess
Hydroponics eliminates the need for soil, so you won’t deal with the mess and complications that come with traditional gardening.
This is particularly beneficial for growing strawberries indoors, where space can be limited.
Less Pests and Diseases
Because there’s no soil, you’re less likely to encounter soil-borne pests and diseases that can affect your strawberry plants.
No need to worry about slugs, beetles, caterpillars, etc!
This makes hydroponic strawberry gardening a cleaner, healthier option for indoor growing.
Faster Growth and Higher Yields
In a hydroponic system, strawberries have direct access to water and nutrients, promoting faster growth and better fruit production.
You’ll often see quicker results and higher yields compared to traditional soil-based gardening.
Space-Efficient
With vertical towers or compact countertop setups, you can grow strawberries in a very small space.
An apartment windowsill, a kitchen countertop, or even bookshelves will work
Hydroponic systems maximize the use of your available space, especially if you grow upwards.
growing strawberries on my dresser, from bare roots to ripe red berries!
Control Over Growing Conditions
With hydroponics, you have control over the nutrients, pH, and environmental factors (light, temperature).
This extensive control allows you to optimize the growing conditions for your strawberries and produce consistent, high-quality fruit year-round.
With outdoor soil gardening, there are so many variables at play: how many warm sunny days you get, how much rain, if the winds are too strong, if a herd of deer come to munch on your berries..
If you’ve gardened outdoors and struggled with low yields, or poor flavor, it’s much easier to troubleshoot and fix issues when you garden inside hydroponically.
Best Hydroponic System for Growing Strawberries Indoors
When it comes to hydroponic systems, there are several options to choose from, but some are better suited for strawberries than others.
Here are the best systems for growing strawberries indoors:
Deep Water Culture (DWC)
DWC is an excellent option for strawberries as the plants’ roots are submerged in a nutrient-rich water solution.
This system ensures that the plants receive constant access to water and nutrients, promoting strong growth and fruit production.
Most indoor gardens on the market use a DWC setup. I’m currently growing strawberries in this small, affordable indoor garden.
Nutrient Film Technique (NFT)
In this system, a thin film of nutrient solution flows over the roots of the plants, providing them with essential nutrients.
NFT is ideal for strawberries because it encourages strong root development while ensuring that the plants have access to ample oxygen.
Ebb and Flow (Flood and Drain)
This system involves flooding the grow bed with a nutrient solution before draining it away.
Ebb and flow systems work well for strawberries, as they provide the plants with periodic nutrient uptake and a cycle of oxygenation that encourages strong roots and healthy growth.
Vertical Hydroponic Tower Systems
I love my vertical farmstand.
A tower like this is incredibly space-efficient and allow you to grow strawberries vertically, making them perfect for small spaces.
My Lettuce Grow can fit up to 36 plants in just 4 square feet, which if planted entirely with strawberries, produces a massive harvest!
Read more: Everything You Need to Know About the Lettuce Grow Farmstand
How to Grow Strawberries Indoors
Now that you know why hydroponic strawberry gardening is great, here’s how to set up your own indoor strawberry garden:
1. Choose the Right Hydroponic System
Select a hydroponic system that fits your available space and growing goals.
For beginners, a simple Deep Water Culture or an NFT system can work well for strawberries.
Note: I wouldn’t recommend a Kratky setup as strawberries typically like as much oxygen as possible.
Vertical hydroponic systems are ideal for those with limited space or those who want to grow multiple plants in a compact setup.
2. Select the Best Strawberry Variety
Not all strawberry varieties are suitable for hydroponic systems, so it’s important to choose a variety that will thrive in an indoor, soil-less environment.
The best types for hydroponic growing include:
Day-Neutral Strawberries
These strawberries are perfect for hydroponic systems because they produce fruit throughout the growing season, regardless of day length.
Varieties like Seascape and Albion are great options for indoor hydroponic gardening.
Ever-Bearing Strawberries
These varieties also produce fruit multiple times per year.
Look for varieties like Quinalt and Eversweet that are specifically suited for indoor or container growing.
3. Set Up Your Hydroponic System
Once you’ve chosen your hydroponic system, it’s time to set it up. I’d recommend a simple, countertop indoor garden like this one.
It works well for herbs, lettuces and small vegetables and it’s also really affordable.
Here’s a simple step-by-step guide to the process:
Prepare the Garden: It’s important to start with a clean, sanitized indoor garden. If you’re starting with a brand new garden – perfect! If you’re re-using an existing indoor garden, make sure to do a vinegar clean to avoid any bacteria residue.
Also make sure your indoor garden is roomy enough to accommodate the strawberry plants. This may mean you don’t fill up every available pod space.
Fill the Reservoir: Prepare your hydroponic nutrient solution according to the manufacturer’s instructions. This solution should be rich in macronutrients like nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium, as well as micronutrients like calcium and magnesium.
Set Up the Growing Medium: If you’re using a pre-built indoor garden, I recommend sticking with their hydroponic sponges or rockwool cubes.
If you’ll be making your own DIY setup, use any inert medium like hydroton (expanded clay pellets), perlite, or coconut coir. These will support the roots while allowing the nutrient solution to flow freely.
Place the Strawberry Plants: Insert your strawberry plants into the hydroponic garden, ensuring that their roots are properly submerged in the nutrient solution.
If using a vertical hydroponic tower, place the plants carefully in the tower’s growing pockets.
4. Provide Adequate Light
Strawberries need around 8-12 hours of light per day to grow and fruit indoors.
I always recommend indoor grow lights, even if you think your home gets a lot of sun throughout the day.
LED grow lights provide the right spectrum of light for fruiting plants, helping your strawberries produce sweet berries year-round.
You can either use a indoor garden machine that comes with pre-built lights, or DIY a system of pots and provide a grow light.
5. Monitor pH and Nutrient Levels
Strawberries thrive in a slightly acidic environment, so aim to maintain the pH level of your nutrient solution between 5.5 and 6.5.
Check the pH regularly with a pH meter, and make adjustments as needed.
Also, keep an eye on the nutrient levels and change the solution every two weeks to ensure the plants are getting the necessary nutrients.
I use this EC meter to dial in the exact nutrient level of my strawberry plants.
6. Pollinate Your Strawberry Plants
Unlike outdoor strawberries, which rely on bees for pollination, indoor strawberries need a little help.
Gently shake the plants or use a small brush to transfer pollen from one flower to another. You can also get a vibrating wand like this to make the process easier.
I also like to use a small fan to simulate the wind and aid in pollination.
This living room fan does double duty by keeping my house breezy and cool, while also pollinating all my large indoor gardens.
7. Harvesting Your Strawberries
Strawberries are ready to harvest when they’re fully red and ripe.
Gently twist or cut the berries from the plant to avoid damaging the delicate fruit. Be sure to regularly harvest ripe strawberries to encourage continued fruiting!
Troubleshooting Common Hydroponic Strawberry Issues
Even though hydroponic systems can be highly efficient, you may encounter a few issues along the way.
Here are some common problems and how to address them:
Yellowing Leaves: Yellow leaves can be a sign of nutrient deficiency or improper pH levels. Ensure your pH is in the correct range and that your nutrient solution is well-balanced.
Poor Fruit Production: If your strawberries aren’t producing fruit, it could be due to inadequate lighting or improper pollination.
Make sure your plants are receiving sufficient light, and assist with pollination if needed.
Root Rot: This can occur if the nutrient solution is stagnant or not oxygenated properly. Make sure your indoor garden is functioning properly, with adequate oxygen levels for the roots.
If you’re running into issues, get an EC meter like this one so that you can check your nutrient solution and water temperature to properly troubleshoot the source of the issue.
Growing strawberries indoors with hydroponics allows you to enjoy fresh, flavorful berries throughout the year, no matter the weather.
They’re definitely a little more labor intensive to grow compared to other vegetables, but the reward is so worth it.
Have you tried growing strawberries indoors? Let me know in the comments how yours did!
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