The best planters and containers for strawberries

Strawberries are easy to grow and do well in containers, as long as you give them rich, fertile soil and a sunny position. Strawberry planters take up very little space and can easily fit on a balcony or patio so anyone, no matter how small their space, can have a go at growing their own.

One advantage of growing strawberries in a planter is that the ripening fruit doesn't fall onto the ground, so is therefore less likely to be spattered by mud or munched by hungry slugs and snails. You can also give your plants the exact conditions they need, moving them into the sun to ripen the fruit, just when they need it.

Bear in mind that whatever the type of strawberry planter you choose, you will need to water your strawberries regularly to keep them hydrated. It's also important to feed container-grown strawberries weekly with a high potash fertiliser during the growing season, to ensure a good crop.

The best container to plant strawberries in has plenty of space for a few plants, is kept off the ground so slugs and snails can't get to the fruit, and doesn't dry out. There are advantages and disadvantages to all containers, as some will need regular watering and/or feeding, while others take up more space or don't keep the plants off the ground. Browse our list of strawberry planters, below, and find out which one works best for you.

Growing bag

Standard growing bags are cheap to buy, take up little space and you can cut planting holes cut into the plastic.

Size: 95cm x 35cm (33 litres)

Number of plants: six

Advantages: cheap, and contains slow-release food that will last for six weeks.

Things to consider: not the most attractive option, the fruit may be eaten by rats or slugs and snails.

• Buy growing bags from Thompson & Morgan

Bespoke strawberry planter

A classically designed strawberry planter can be planted in the top as well as in pockets dotted around the side.

Size: 35cm x 35cm

Number of plants: variable, depending on design

Advantages: bespoke planters look attractive and a good-sized pot holds plenty of plants. These strawberry planters also produced the highest yield of strawberries in our trial.

Things to consider: planting pockets can be prone to drying out.

• Buy strawberry planters from Whichford Pottery

Planting trugs

These free standing ‘V’ shaped planters on legs make great use of space. Some models are made using wood, others are made using felt or sturdy woven plastic, and can be folded down for easy storage after use.

Size: variable

Number of plants: variable, depending on size of planter

Advantages: great for a small space and practical if you find bending difficult.

Things to consider: some designs don't hold water well. May be unstable in a windy spot.

• Buy a vegetable trug from Crocus

Hanging basket

Hanging baskets enable you to grow strawberries off the ground, making them ideal for protecting from slugs and snails.

Size: 40cm diameter

Number of plants: six

Advantages: an interesting change to a traditional hanging basket and fruit is kept away from slugs.

Things to consider: hanging baskets need regular watering and feeding as plants are growing in a limited amount of compost

• Buy a hanging basket from Crocus

Terracotta pot

Simple terracotta pots are simple, attractive options that enable the fruits to spill over the side and are kept off the ground.

Size: variable

Number of plants: three to six

Advantages: terracotta pots are perfect for a patio, balcony or step.

Things to consider: this growing method produced the smallest crop in our trial, so plant up several planters for a bigger yield. Terracotta pots dry out more quickly than those made of plastic or other materials.

• Buy terracotta pots from Crocus

Window box

Window boxes provide a space-saving way to grow strawberries, helping to keep the fruit off the ground. Make sure you fix the box to the windowsill using brackets, so it doesn't fall off in high wind.

Size: typically 60cm x 15cm x 18cm

Number of plants: three to six

Advantages: window boxes can save on space if used on a windowsill or a balcony.

Things to consider: you may get a small cropm so if you can, plant up several planters.

• Buy window boxes from Crocus

Frequently asked questions

How big of a planter do you need for strawberries?

Starwberries should be placed around 20cm apart, so measure the amount of growing space you have and plant accordingly, for example, a window box measuring 60cm long should comfortably fit three strawberry plants.

Are strawberry planters worth growing?

Yes! Strawberries are delicious and nutritious fruits that taste so much better when grown yourself, than anything you can buy in the shops. They're easy to grow, as long as you can protect them from slugs and snails, and they come back every year.