Strawberries in Pots & Hanging Baskets: Winter Plan
Strawberries are perennial plants, which means they’ll keep producing year after year—if they survive the winter. In pots and baskets, the roots are far more exposed to freezing temperatures than they are in the ground. Even hardy varieties can be lost if their roots freeze solid.
Best Option: Move Them into the Garden
In late summer or early fall, transplant strawberries from pots or baskets into a sunny, well-drained garden bed.
Space them 12–18 inches apart.
Mulch with 3–4 inches of straw or shredded leaves after the first hard frost to protect crowns through winter.
Come spring, remove mulch gradually so plants can warm up.
If You Can’t Plant in the Ground:
Group pots close together in a sheltered spot, ideally against a south-facing wall.
Insulate by burying the pots in soil or surrounding them with leaves, straw, or even an old blanket.
Keep the soil barely moist—dry roots are more prone to winter injury.
Why Ground is Better:
Strawberries planted in the garden get a more stable temperature, better root insulation, and room to send out runners for bigger harvests. You’ll also avoid the hassle of heavy winter protection for pots.