Hey there, I hope you are having a good day. You are in the right place if you are worried about your dying strawberry and looking for ways to revive it. In this article, we’ll discuss how to restore a dying strawberry plant so you can enjoy these juicy red berries in the future. I understand how disappointing it can be to see your strawberry plant wilting or dying away without any apparent reason.
To revive your dying strawberry plant, you first need to determine what has caused it to deteriorate. After that, remove any dead leaves or flowers to prevent disease & pests from spreading. Make sure to water & fertilize the plant correctly. You should provide adequate sunlight and prune it regularly while monitoring your plant’s progress.
However, this requires a systematic approach to revive a dying plant successfully. Therefore before you try to give up, there are a few simple steps that you can take to bring your plant back to life.
Here, I’ll start by explaining how to identify why your strawberry plant is struggling to thrive. After that, I’ll help you go through a few steps to help revive it back to health. Therefore, let’s first find out why strawberry plants die.
3 Major Reasons Why Are My Strawberry Plants Dying
Poor Soil Quality
One of the main reasons commonly reported and seen in strawberry plants that are struggling is poor soil quality. You already know that Strawberries require well-draining soil rich in organic matter; therefore, I highly recommend checking your soil quality.
If your soil is too heavy or compacted, it can lead to root rot and other diseases. Similarly, if your soil lacks essential nutrients, your plants won’t have the resources to grow healthy and strong.
Firstly, Start by testing your soil’s pH levels and nutrient content. It is widely available; you should never mind purchasing a soil testing kit online or from your local garden center. As per the University of Michigan Agriculture and Natural Resources, you should add compost or manure to increase sandy soil’s water-holding capacity.
Also, you can alternatively add coarse sand or perlite to improve drainage for clay soil. Therefore, after finding out what your soil type and what it needs, you need to provide amendments like compost, manure, or fertilizer that can improve its quality. Avoid using chemical fertilizers as they may harm your strawberry plant if you have never been exposed. If grown on poor quality soil, you’ll notice strawberry plant flowers but no fruit.
Pest Infestations
Another reason why your strawberry plants could be dying can be pest infestations. Many common pests, including spider mites, aphids, and thrips, can attack strawberry plants. Surprisingly, these insects can cause severe damage to your plants by feeding on the leaves, stems, and fruit if not paid attention to it. Therefore, if you’re wondering “what eats strawberry leaves?” there actually two major bugs .
Many have reported their plant dying in severe cases because of the pest infestation. Therefore, I highly recommend carefully inspecting your plant for pest infestations. First, look for signs of discoloration, wilting, and small webs or bugs on your strawberry plant leaves. You might also notice holes in strawberry leaves.
Many experts recommend planting companion plants near strawberries to repel pests and insects. ReseachGate Journals suggest planting companion plants like marigolds or garlic that are very effective in repelling pests.
If your strawberry plant suffers from pest infestation, I’ll advise you to use natural remedies like neem oil or insecticidal soap. Alternatively, you can prepare a water and dish soap mixture to eliminate pests. It would be best to learn how to keep strawberries off the ground, which will help you prevent pests, bugs, or insects from attacking your plant to some extent.
Improper Watering
Lastly, another common reason that might be hampering your strawberry plant’s health and growth could be due to improper watering. Strawberries need regular watering, especially during hot and dry weather. I hope you already know that overwatering can lead to root rot & underwatering cause stress and wilting.
Therefore, you should regularly check your soil’s moisture levels by sticking your finger about an inch into the ground. If YOU feel dry, it’s time to water your strawberry plants profoundly and evenly. I’m this case, drip irrigation can efficiently water strawberries, according to Oregon State University Extension Service.
How To Revive A Dying Strawberry Plant In 7 Steps
- Firstly, please take a close look at your strawberry plant and try to determine what has caused it to deteriorate. Is it a lack of water, sunlight, nutrients, or something else?
- Secondly, you must remove dead leaves or flowers from your strawberry plants to prevent disease and pests from spreading while encouraging your plant to focus on healthy growth.
- Now, water the strawberry plants require about 1 to 2 inches of water per week (as per the University of Minnesota Extension)
- Don’t forget to provide regular fertilization, which will promote healthy growth. With strawberry plants, you can always use a balanced fertilizer, like 10-10-10, but follow the manufacturer’s instructions.
- I hope you already have a good quality pruning shear. If yes, use that pruning shear to remove dead or diseased foliage, and cut back the runners to promote healthy growth.
- As a part of regular inspection, check whether your plant receives enough sunlight during cold days. Never mind moving it to a sunnier location if necessary.
- Continue to monitor the plant’s progress and make adjustments as necessary. As the University of California Cooperative Extension suggests, you may have to wait several weeks to see improvements in a dying strawberry plant.
5 Causes & Signs Of Strawberry Plant Leaves Dying
| Cause | Sign |
| Lack of water | Wilting leaves, dry soil |
| Overwatering | Yellowing leaves, root rot |
| Pests | Holes in leaves chewed foliage |
| Diseases | Spots on leaves, moldy foliage |
| Nutrient deficiencies | Discolored or yellow leaves, stunted growth |
How To Save A Dying Strawberry Plant Leaves In 5 Steps?
First, you need to identify the problem by looking for signs of damage or disease, like yellowing leaves or spots on the foliage.
- If you find the problem is directly related to watering, adjust the amount of water you give the plant.
- On the other hand, If your plant is not getting enough water, increase the watering frequency.
- If it is getting too much water, reduce the watering frequency and ensure the soil is well-draining.
- If you notice damaged foliage, remove it using clean & sharp equipment to prevent the spread of disease.
- If you think this is caused by pest infestation, you should never hesitate to treat the plant with a pesticide or insecticide safe for edible plants.
5 Tips To Prevent Strawberry Plants from Dying
Do you know that a study published in the Journal of Agricultural and Food Chemistry states that proper care and maintenance can significantly increase the antioxidant content of strawberries?
The study also found that plants that received adequate irrigation & fertilizer benefited from higher levels of antioxidants than plants that received less care. This is why I am happily sharing a few tips that will help you prevent your strawberry plant from dying and keep it thriving.
- Choose a location with full sun and well-draining soil when planting your strawberry plants.
- As per my research and experience, Strawberries are good in slightly acidic soil with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5.
- It would be best always to use organic mulch, like straw or wood chips. Make sure you are not covering the crown of the plant with mulch.
- I don’t need to tell you that you should regularly remove any dead or damaged leaves and runners from your strawberry plants.
- To prevent soil-borne diseases, consider rotating your strawberry plants to a different location every 3-4 years.
FAQ
Do strawberry plants die after fruiting?
No, strawberry plants do not necessarily die after fruiting because they are perennial species, known for living several years if properly cared for. However, some may produce less fruit in subsequent years if you do not provide proper maintenance.
Do strawberry plants die in the winter?
Many studies and reports show that Strawberry plants are known to go dormant in the winter but typically do not die. This is why I recommend you provide protection to your strawberry plants from extreme cold and frost by covering them with a layer of mulch or using row covers.
Do strawberry plants die every year?
No, strawberry plants do not die every year. However, your plant may require more maintenance in subsequent years to keep them healthy and to produce.
Conclusion
In this article, I tried my best to give you all the knowledge on how you can save your strawberry plant. As I told you earlier, strawberry plants are known to be perennial and can live for several years while producing fruit for multiple seasons if proper care is given.
I have given all the necessary tips that can help you get your strawberry plant back to its normal health and be productive as soon as possible. I recommend you follow all the best practices mentioned above, like choosing the right location, providing adequate water and nutrients, pruning regularly, protecting from pests & extreme weather conditions, and rotating crops.
I tried my best to give you a proper explanation and answer to ‘why are my strawberry plants dying’ and ‘how to save a dying strawberry plant.’ If you find this article helpful, then consider sharing it.
Your share will help many people learn about the measures and the right approach to revive their dying strawberry plants. If you have any questions or concerns, don’t hesitate to consult with a gardening expert for personalized advice and guidance.
Do check our other helpful guide on strawberry plant care and management. See you in the next post, till then, take care and goodbye.
