Gardening Plants & Flowers Trees

How to Grow and Care for the Strawberry Tree

The strawberry tree (Arbutus unedo) is a shrub that bears delicate, fragrant flowers and brightly colored fruits that are not strawberries, but bland-tasting, round fruits. The oblong leaves are shiny and dark, 2 to 4 inches long. The tree produces bell-shaped white or pink flowers that grow in clusters and mature along with the fruit in the fall. Tying all of this together is the attractive multicolored bark and twisting branches that make this a lovely ornamental tree and, when left as a shrub, can mature into a lush, dense dome shape. Plant new trees in the fall and expect a slow to moderate growth rate for this shrub.

Strawberry tree shrub branches with yellow fruit hanging beneath

The Spruce / K. Dave

Common Name Strawberry tree, Killarney strawberry tree, Irish strawberry tree, cane apples, Dalmatian strawberry, arbutus
Botanical Name  Arbutus unedo 
Family  Ericaceae
Plant Type  Shrub
Size  8-12 ft. tall and wide
Sun Exposure  Full, partial
Soil Type  Sandy, clay, or loamy, well-draining
Soil pH  Acidic, neutral, alkaline
Bloom Time Fall, winter
Flower Color  White, pink
Hardiness Zones 7-10 (USDA)
Native Area  Europe, Mediterranean

How to Plant the Strawberry Tree

When to Plant

The strawberry tree is not very finicky, so you just have to choose a time to plant it when there's no threat of frost. Plant this tree in the early fall before the first frost or in the spring after the threat of frost has passed.

Selecting a Planting Site

Choose a sunny and well-drained area in loamy, sandy, or clay soil that is acidic to slightly alkaline. The tree can tolerate a site with some shade. Once the tree is established, it can tolerate drought and some wind, but it will not withstand severe conditions, especially when it is young. A strawberry tree can do well despite the presence of salt runoff or salt spray. This strawberry tree can also thrive when planted in urban areas and along streets and highways.

Spacing, Depth, and Support

If you plan to plant numerous trees or create a hedge with the strawberry tree, plant them 20 to 35 feet apart because the Arbutus unedo is considered to be small to medium in size depending on the cultivar you select. Younger trees may need a stake for support until they become more mature and hardy.

Strawberry Tree Plant Care

 Here are the main care requirements for growing a strawberry tree:

  • Choose a planting site with 6 hours of full sun a day, though some shade is tolerated.
  • Plant in acidic soil.
  • Once established, water 1 inch each week equal to the number of inches in the trunk's diameter.
  • Mulch in spring and fall to protect the tree from extreme weather and feed its roots.

Light

The strawberry tree appreciates more sun than shade. It will thrive if it has 6 hours of full, direct sun a day.

Soil

Like other ericaceous plants, this tree does best in acidic soil. It can also tolerate a neutral pH. You can make your soil more acidic as needed.

Water

It is important to water regularly for the first year so that the tree can form strong roots. The strawberry tree is known to become more drought-resistant as it matures, and it can even grow in salty areas. Plan on 1 inch of water each week to equal the number of inches in the trunk's diameter.

Temperature and Humidity

Strawberry trees are hardy in zones 7 and above and most humidity levels. However, the tree will not thrive in excessively humid areas.

Fertilizer

Add about 3 inches of organic mulch around the base of the tree in the summer to protect it from scorching sunlight and in the winter to protect it from frost. This will also serve as an organic, slow-release fertilizer.

Strawberry tree shrub with hanging yellow and red fruit in sunlight

The Spruce / K. Dave

Strawberry tree shrub in field with small red fruit

The Spruce / K. Dave

Strawberry tree shrub branches

The Spruce / K. Dave

Strawberry tree shrub branch with small white cup-like flowers closeup

The Spruce / K. Dave

Types of Strawberry Trees

Many cultivars of strawberry trees in the United States reach a mature size of 8 to 12 feet tall and wide, though the species can become as tall as 35 feet in the right conditions. Its canopy forms a domed or rounded shape.

  • 'Elfin King': If you don't want to deal with picking up lots of fallen fruit, choose the dwarf 'Elfin King' cultivar. The trade-off, of course, is that it produces less of the showy fruits.
  • 'Rubra': This strawberry tree cultivar produces deep pink flowers.
  • 'Compacta': This dwarf strawberry tree is popular because it only grows about 8 to 12 feet high.
  • 'Oktoberfest': This is another dwarf strawberry tree that is an ideal container plant.

Arbutus Unedo vs. Muntingia Calabura

Both Arbutus unedo and Muntingia calabura are called by the common name of strawberry tree, but they are two different species. To avoid confusion, the Muntingia calabura is also called the Jamaican cherry, as well as the strawberry tree. It grows faster than the Arbutus unedo. The Jamaican cherry tree's berry tastes like cotton candy.

Harvesting From the Strawberry Tree

The berries on a strawberry tree are typically ready for harvesting in the late fall or winter around November or December. They are best picked when the skins of the berries are very red and they are a bit soft to the touch.

How to the Grow Strawberry Tree in Pots

'Elfin King', 'Oktoberfest', and 'Compacta' are all dwarf strawberry trees that are ideal for growing in pots on a patio in bright light and away from wind. Choose a well-draining pot of any material that's about 14 inches deep and 14 to 24 inches in diameter to accommodate root growth. The container and tree can be quite heavy so consider putting the potted plant on casters, which will also lift it off the ground to help with drainage.

Pruning

Pruning is not usually necessary for this tree unless branches are growing the wrong way or there are dead, diseased, or dying branches. If you do wish to prune, do so at the end of winter and into early spring. You can also train the shrub so that it has more of a tree form with a single trunk.

Propagating the Strawberry Tree

Propagation of a strawberry tree is possible through cuttings and layering. The process of letting the seedlings of strawberry trees grow enough to plant them outdoors takes patience, which is why layering may work best.

Here’s how to propagate strawberry trees through layering and cuttings:

Propagation by Air Layering

For air layering, you will need a sharp knife, rooting hormone (optional), a growing medium like sphagnum moss, plastic wrap, zip ties (or wire, electrical tape, or string), a pot, and slightly acidic, well-draining soil.

  1. In early to late spring, pick a branch that would make a good tree specimen, 1 to 2 years old, and clear a 1-foot section of any leaves.
  2. Cut a ring around the branch, and 1 inch below, another ring; connect the two rings with a vertical cut, and remove the bark and the soft tissue of the cambium layer, leaving the woody center.
  3. Apply rooting hormone, if using, around the top cut.
  4. Apply moist (but not wet) sphagnum moss around the wound, and wrap it with plastic wrap so that it's sealed tightly; the packed moss should be 3 to 4 inches thick.
  5. Secure the plastic wrap on each end (you can use zip ties, wire, electrical tape, or string)
  6. Check for moisture, and if the moss is dry, spritz to moisten. 
  7. Roots should appear in 8 to 12 weeks; once roots appear, cut the stem just below the rooted area.
  8. Remove the plastic wrap—but leave the moss so the roots are not disturbed—and plant the branch in a pot filled with slightly acidic, well-draining potting soil. Place in a spot with bright, indirect light and keep the soil evenly moist until the roots are well established.

Propagation by Cuttings

The best time to take cuttings from a strawberry tree is in July. You will need a sterilized garden cutting tool, rooting hormone, soilless potting mix, and 6-inch pots with a drainage hole.

  1. Choose new growth—green, soft (non-woody) stems—for cuttings.
  2. Using a sterilized cutting tool, make a clean cut just below a node; each cutting should be 4 to 6 inches long and contain at least two leaves and one node.
  3. Remove all but one or two leaves on each cutting and apply rooting hormone to the cut's end.
  4. In each pot filled with potting mix, make a hole with a pencil, or something similar, and gently place the cutting in the hole. Tamp soil around the cutting and water the potted cutting.
  5. Cover pots with a plastic bag, which provides a warm, humid environment. Don’t seal completely so there’s some airflow.
  6. Keep the cuttings in a warm spot with bright light until they are hardy enough for outdoor planting.

How to the Grow Strawberry Tree From Seed

Seeds from the strawberry tree's fruits are naturally spread by birds who consume the berries. If you want to grow the strawberry tree from seeds, gather them when you harvest the berries and put them through the stratification process. It may take quite a bit of time before you have a large enough plant to put in the ground outside. Here are steps to grow a strawberry tree by seed:

  1. Soak seeds in warm water for 5 to 6 days.
  2. Place seeds on top of moist compost in a seed tray, and add a light dusting of soil on top.
  3. Place in a cold frame; the seeds will go through a period of dormancy until they germinate in the spring.
  4. Plant in seedling pots, and grow in a greenhouse or cold frame for about one year.
  5. Plant in the ground or a larger pot after the last frost has passed.

Overwintering

Younger trees may need protective burlap covers in cold weather and frosts to prevent damage to flowers and fruits. Covers can also protect the younger trees from cold winds.

How to Get Strawberry Tree to Bloom

Bloom Months

Strawberry tree blooms in fall and winter, from October to December. The green fruits appear in winter—often overlapping when the tree is flowering—and ripen, almost a year later, when they turn red.

How Long Does Strawberry Tree Bloom?

Strawberry tree's blooms last until fruits form one year later.

What Do Strawberry Tree Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Strawberry trees blooms form 2-inch long panicles with clusters of 10 to 30 white or pink, bell-shaped flowers. The flowers have a mild scent.

Common Pests and Plant Diseases

Strawberry trees can be affected by many common plant diseases, including Annosus root rot disease, anthracnose, leaf spots, leaf galls, phytophthora (a fungus), sudden oak death, and twig dieback.

Common pests that may strike your strawberry shrub include aphids, flatheaded borers, leafminers, scale, thrips, and Western tent caterpillar (Malacosoma californicum).

FAQ
  • Is the Arbutus unedo tree easy to grow?

    Yes, it's easy to grow because the strawberry tree is not finicky, especially when it's established and it can be left on its own to thrive. It is one of the easiest ornamental trees to grow in your yard and your job is to watch for pests and diseases.

  • Is Arbutus unedo fruit edible?

    The strawberry tree's fruits are edible, but when fresh, they can have a rough exterior texture, mushy interior, and muted semi-sweet flavor. However, some people do like to cook the berries and use them in jellies and preserves. They are also used to make a Portuguese spirit called medronho.

  • Does Arbutus unedo attract wildlife?

    Birds love the berries of Arbutus unedo, and they also enjoy the shelter provided by this dense tree. The strawberry tree also attracts bees, birds, including hummingbirds, and butterflies because of its blooms filled with nectar and pollen.