Strawberry Tree (Arbutus unedo)

How much light does a Strawberry Tree need?

Full sun is preferred, which the source describes as six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Part shade is also listed as a light level for this plant. Plant it where it gets that much sun if you can, and treat part shade as the second choice. The plant is evergreen.

• Light: Full sun and part shade (full sun preferred)¹

Best soil for a Strawberry Tree

Good drainage is the soil quality named for strawberry tree. The drainage conditions recorded for it are well drained, moist and occasionally dry. The list includes moist soil and also soil that is occasionally dry. Occasional disease problems for this plant include Phytophthora and root rot. Because no cited source gives a soil pH range, that value is not documented here. The plant is a tree or shrub that keeps its leaves all year. Growth is slow, about 12 to 24 in (30 to 61 cm) a year.

• Soil drainage: Well drained, moist and occasionally dry¹

Hardiness and temperature

USDA hardiness zones 7a to 10b are the range listed for strawberry tree. That range covers 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a and 10b. A zone colder than 7a falls outside the listed range. Check your own USDA zone against that range before you plant.

• Hardiness: Zones 7a–10b¹

Pruning a Strawberry Tree

Light shaping is the pruning type recorded for strawberry tree. The source advises pruning the shoots back lightly and regularly to keep an attractive shape. The plant can be grown as a shrub or trained to a tree form. It grows slowly, about 12 to 24 in (30 to 61 cm) a year.

• Pruning: Light shaping¹

How to plant a Strawberry Tree

Choose a spot that has room for a plant that can grow to 12 ft (3.66 m) tall and up to 20 ft (6.1 m) wide. It is listed for USDA zones 7a to 10b. Full sun, meaning six or more hours of direct sunlight a day, is preferred, and part shade is also listed. Pick a spot with good drainage. Growth is slow, about 12 to 24 in (30 to 61 cm) a year.

• Hardiness: Zones 7a–10b¹

Winter care

As a broadleaf evergreen, strawberry tree keeps its leaves through the year. It is listed for USDA zones 7a through 10b. The coldest zone in that range is 7a and the warmest is 10b. Light shaping is the pruning type recorded for it. Its drainage conditions are well drained, moist and occasionally dry.

• Hardiness: Zones 7a–10b¹

How to propagate a Strawberry Tree

You can propagate strawberry tree by seed, stem cuttings or layering. Seed, stem cuttings and layering are the three methods recorded for this plant. The plant can be grown as a shrub or trained to a tree form. Its growth is slow, at about 12 to 24 in (30 to 61 cm) a year.

• Propagation: Seed, stem cuttings and layering¹

Common problems

Scales and thrips are the pests recorded for this plant, which is susceptible to both. Anthracnose, Phytophthora, root rot and rust are occasional disease problems. The source calls these diseases occasional problems rather than constant ones. In total, that is two pests and four diseases.

• Common pests: scales and thrips¹
• Common diseases: anthracnose, phytophthora, root rot and rust¹

Questions and answers

How big does a strawberry tree get?

The species can grow to 12 ft (3.66 m) tall and up to 20 ft (6.1 m) wide. It is slow-growing, about 12 to 24 in (30 to 61 cm) a year. You can grow it as a shrub or train it to a tree form.

What light does a strawberry tree need?

Full sun is preferred, which means six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Part shade is also listed as a light level for the plant. It is listed for USDA zones 7a to 10b.

Which hardiness zones suit a strawberry tree?

It is listed for USDA zones 7a to 10b, which spans 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a and 10b. The plant is a broadleaf evergreen. Its flowers are white and pink.