Strawberries are a common pick for container gardens — there’s even a specific type of planter designed just for them, the strawberry jar. But is that the best method for growing strawberries? Not quite: Strawberries planted in garden beds will produce far more fruit and remain productive for years longer than those planted in pots. But if you’re short on space, on a budget, or just don’t want to maintain a full-size strawberry patch, containers may be the best choice for you.

Sometimes, you don’t have much choice about which method you use to grow strawberries. In that case, picking the right variety of strawberry plant is key to getting the most bang for your buck. There are different types of strawberries to choose from: June-bearing, ever-bearing, and day-neutral. June-bearing strawberries produce one larger crop in June or early July, while ever-bearing strawberries produce twice: once in the summer and again in the fall. Day-neutral strawberries, which are less common, produce fruit continuously throughout the growing season. 

In general, June-bearing strawberries are more suitable for growing in the ground because they’re bigger, there are more varieties available, and they quickly produce more plants. Meanwhile, ever-bearing and day-neutral are the best strawberry plant varieties to grow in containers because they’re easier to maintain and you’ll get more strawberries each year, which is a key consideration when growing in a limited space. As you’ll see, there are benefits and drawbacks to planting strawberries in both containers and garden beds, so the right choice isn’t one-size-fits-all.

Strawberries spread by stolons, or long stems that grow just above the ground. When the stolons come into contact with soil, they form roots and produce new daughter plants. June-bearing strawberries grown in garden beds can spread to produce over 100 daughter plants in a single season. This means a larger yield of strawberries as compared to container gardens; there’s simply no comparing the output of an in-ground strawberry patch with a few potted strawberry plants. Additionally, strawberry beds will remain productive for three to five years. So, if you want a truly luscious strawberry harvest, a garden bed is the way to go. You don’t necessarily have to plant them in neat rows; you can also use strawberries as a ground cover or edging.

However, strawberries require specific growing conditions, most importantly plenty of sun and well-draining soil. The main con of growing strawberries in garden beds is that you may not have the right spot for them. You can amend the soil if it’s not already ideal for strawberry growth, including the pH and nutrient level, but this can take time. Space is another consideration. June-bearing strawberries must be grown with enough space between each plant to prevent overcrowding from all the runners they produce. Ever-bearing and day-neutral strawberries produce fewer runners. Garden beds also leave strawberries more vulnerable to pests, such as rodents, birds, and insects, since it’s harder to fully protect the patch while the plants are in production. 

Container strawberries don’t produce as much fruit as those in the ground, and most only last for one season, especially if you use a strawberry jar. They also require special care, such as pruning the runners. Since containers dry out much faster than garden beds, you have to water and fertilize more often to provide the consistent moisture and nutrients that strawberry plants need.

However, that doesn’t mean containers are entirely without benefits for strawberries. You can more easily control the soil conditions in a container and choose the perfect spot for your plants with the right amount of sun. The plants are easier to protect from pests and are safe from foot traffic. Pots are also an ideal way to grow strawberries if you don’t have space for a garden bed; not everyone has a yard, but anyone can squeeze a strawberry jar or hanging basket somewhere.

Still, all else being equal, it’s best to grow strawberries in a garden bed if you can. If you don’t have the right soil in your garden for growing strawberries, consider building a raised bed — this is a great compromise that provides the benefits of both garden beds and containers. However, for some people, containers are the only feasible option. To get the biggest yield out of your potted strawberries, look for ever-bearing or day-neutral varieties that don’t produce many runners. Prune the runners that you do see to keep the mother plant strong and productive. Protect the roots from high temperatures with a reflective material or a bit of shade.