There's nothing quite like a perfectly ripe strawberry—sweet, juicy, and full of flavor. That's a taste that's often missing from store-bought berries. If you're ready to harvest your own produce, strawberries are a fantastic place to start. They grow quickly and are incredibly rewarding. Plus, it's surprisingly simple to grow strawberries hydroponically, giving you delicious, fresh berries faster than you might think. This guide will show you exactly how to get started.

We will start with the motivation to grow strawberries in a complete hydroponic system. Then we will discuss the various species of strawberries. Then we will look at which species are preferred for hydroponic gardening.

We will then discuss the best type of hydroponic system for them and the process of starting strawberry seeds. Lastly, we will walk through the complete process of growing strawberries.

Why Grow Strawberries Hydroponically?

Growing strawberries in a hydroponic system are easy and beginner-friendly. We will share all the details on how to grow strawberries hydroponically effectively and discuss their advantages and disadvantages.

The Upsides to Growing Hydroponic Strawberries

In a hydroponic system, you do not frequently change the water for soil plantation. In soil plantation, the plant needs to be watered regularly, and then the nutrients are transferred from the soil to the plant. The water in a hydroponic system gets recycled and circulated for a long time before the water goes bad and needs to be changed.

Strawberry plants are one of those plants that benefit more from hydroponic growth than soil. On top of the faster growth and cultivation period, strawberry plants can be stacked on top of each other. This way, you can have a mini vertical farm of fresh strawberries sharing the same nutritious water while being space efficient. Hydroponic systems do not attract pests, which is great because you don't have to invest in pesticides.

The Downsides: What to Know Before You Start

Starting a hydroponic garden has a higher upfront cost than soil-based gardening. Instead of just getting a bed and some soil with perhaps some fertilizers and supplements, you will require a complete hydroponic system.

You can also build one on your own, which will be difficult and challenging, especially for beginners. Hydroponic growing is not as easy and straightforward as good traditional soil planting. It's because the plant is not indirectly being fed nutrients and regulated by the soil. The water directly submerges the roots and transports nutrients, so too much or too little of it can damage the plant.

The next issue is maintaining the correct pH value. It requires special attention and monitoring from your end to ensure that the plants don't get intoxicated. Take great care and caution while testing your nutrient solution, and you will have no problems whatsoever.

To learn more about hydroponic growing, check out How to Grow Plants Traditionally and in a Hydroponic Grow Media?

You may be feeling startled by the drawbacks we mentioned, but they are nothing to worry about. Growing strawberries hydroponically is definitely the way to go. The drawbacks mentioned are there to ensure that you understand all the aspects, good or bad.

How to Grow Strawberries Hydroponically: A Step-by-Step Guide

Even though there are some issues in using a hydroponic system for growing, it should not stop you from starting your own garden. We will begin by selecting a hydroponic system to grow your strawberry garden.

Find the Right Hydroponic System for You

There are many options to choose from when deciding on a hydroponic system for growing your strawberries.

Deepwater Culture (DWC) systems

Deepwater Culture (DWC) systems like the Platinum Series are popular for certain varieties of vegetables and flowering plants. The plants' roots are always submerged in water that provides them nutrients with a pump that continuously provides them with fresh, oxygen-rich air.

Aeroponic systems are a more advanced type of hydroponic gardening. Instead of the plant submerged in water, the plant is suspended in mid-air with sprayers emitting mist over its roots.

EBB and Flow Hydroponic systems

EBB and flow hydroponic systems are perfect for growing strawberries hydroponically. The plant roots are submerged in water with nutrients, and then the water is drained out into a reservoir. A timer is set to perform the water flooding and draining tasks repeatedly every day.

You can purchase pre-configured systems, like Hydrofarm Megagarden System, Super Closet, Bubble Flow Buckets, 4' X 8' Ebb & Flow Kit, 3' X 3' Ebb & Flow Kit.

You can configure and build your own EBB and flow kit as well. Get a grow tray, set it up exactly how you want, and start cultivating as many strawberry plants as you need.

Hydroponic Drip Systems

Hydroponic Drip systems are very close to EBB and flow systems. Instead of first flooding and then draining the water from the roots in repeated cycles, in hydroponic drip systems, you provide the water in drops to the plant. This way, you can control the amount of liquid and moisture down to a single drop. And the water keeps dripping on the plant all day long.

You can choose from a variety of hydroponic systems like General Hydroponics Eco Grower, 4' X 8' Hydroponic Drip System, General Hydroponics EuroGrower.

You can build a hydroponic drip system on your own, and for this, you can choose from various components to fit your needs and grow as many strawberries as you want.

Common System Types: NFT and Dutch Buckets

Beyond the systems we've already covered, two other methods are quite popular for growing strawberries: the Nutrient Film Technique (NFT) and Dutch Buckets. NFT systems are fantastic for larger-scale setups where a shallow stream of water containing dissolved nutrients is constantly re-circulated past the plant's bare roots inside a channel. It’s an efficient way to deliver a steady supply of everything the plants need. Dutch Buckets, on the other hand, are ideal for larger, more mature plants that require extra room for their root systems to spread out. This makes them another solid choice for helping your strawberry plants thrive and produce plenty of fruit.

Beginner Tips: Which System is Best for Strawberries?

If you're just starting, the number of options can feel a bit overwhelming. For beginners, I generally recommend choosing an ebb and flow, deep water culture (DWC), or a hydroponic drip system because they are relatively straightforward to set up and manage. Just as important as your system is the type of strawberry you choose to grow. For indoor hydroponics, you’ll have the best success with Day-Neutral strawberry plants. These varieties are ideal because they produce fruit throughout the entire growing season, regardless of daylight hours, which means you can enjoy a continuous harvest.

Simple DIY System Ideas

Feeling crafty? You don’t have to buy a pre-made kit to get started. A simple DIY rail or gutter system is an accessible and budget-friendly way to begin growing strawberries at home. You can build a very effective system using basic materials like rain gutters or PVC pipes to create channels for your plants. This approach allows you to customize the size and shape of your garden to fit your specific space. You’ll just need a reservoir to hold your nutrient solution, a small pump to circulate it, and a good growing medium like perlite or coco coir to support your plants’ roots within the channels.

Choose the Best Grow Medium for Your Berries

After choosing the system, you need to pick a suitable hydroponic grow medium if your system does not include any media. The choices you have are clay pebbles, coco coir, or growstones. They all serve the same purpose, so choose anyone you like.

The only purpose of grow media is to firmly keep the plant in place to let the roots deeply intertwine themselves. For ease, choose coco coir as it doesn't affect the water's pH level.

What Nutrients Do Hydroponic Strawberries Need?

Lastly, you will need nutrients to feed your plant. Strawberries have low requirements, unlike most plants, but you need to keep them well-fed for the duration of their lifetime. Their diet needs to be composed of Nitrogen (N), mainly Phosphorus (P), Potassium (K), Calcium (Ca), and Magnesium (Mg).

Malnourishment of these nutrients will result in withered or unhealthy crops, so make sure they have just the right amount as needed. Check out brands like Age Old Nutrients, Botanicare, Earth Juice, General Hydroponics, and others listed on the best hydroponic nutrients.

Measuring Nutrient Strength (EC)

Think of your nutrient solution as a custom-blended smoothie for your strawberries. You want it to be just right—not too weak and not too strong. That's where Electrical Conductivity, or EC, comes in. EC is simply a way to measure the total amount of dissolved nutrients in your water. For hydroponic strawberries, you'll want to keep the EC level between 1.0 and 1.4. This range ensures your plants get a steady supply of food without being overwhelmed. If the EC is too low, they'll be underfed, and if it's too high, you risk burning their delicate roots. Regularly checking this level is a simple but crucial step for a healthy and productive system.

Adjusting Nutrients for Different Growth Stages

Just like people, plants have different dietary needs as they grow. A young strawberry plant focused on producing lush, green leaves has different requirements than one that's getting ready to fruit. During the initial growth phase, a balanced nutrient formula works great. However, once you start seeing those first beautiful white flowers appear, it's time to make a change. You'll want to add extra phosphorus to your nutrient solution. This simple shift encourages the plant to put its energy into producing more fruit, leading to bigger and faster harvests. It's a small tweak that makes a huge difference in your final yield.

Essential Tools: pH and EC Meters

To really get your nutrient solution dialed in, you're going to need a couple of key tools, because guessing just won't cut it here. You'll need a pH meter and an EC meter. The pH level of your water determines how well your plants can absorb the nutrients you're providing. For strawberries, you need to keep the water's pH between 5.8 and 6.2. If it drifts outside this narrow window, your plants can't access certain nutrients, even if they're present in the water. Using reliable meters and testers to check your pH and EC levels regularly takes the guesswork out of the equation and gives you precise control over your plants' diet.

Choosing the Right Strawberry Variety

Let's take it from the top. It would be best if you chose a fresh and healthy variety of strawberries to grow. After that, we will prepare to start the fruit, feed them, and then finally extract the harvest. Strawberries require very little maintenance and can be grown in a variety of conditions, making them perfect for just about anyone!

Day-Neutral vs. Ever-Bearing vs. June-Bearing

Okay, let's talk about the different types of strawberry plants, because picking the right one is a game-changer for your hydroponic setup. First up are June-bearing varieties. As their name suggests, they give you one massive harvest, typically around June. They're known for producing the largest, juiciest berries of the bunch and are quite hardy plants. While they're fantastic for traditional gardeners who want a lot of fruit at once for making jams or freezing, they aren't always the top pick for a year-round indoor garden. Their fruiting is tied to a specific season and light cycle, so you'd get one big burst of berries and then have to wait a whole year for the next one.

Next are ever-bearing strawberries. Don't let the name fool you; "ever-bearing" doesn't mean they fruit constantly. These varieties typically produce two main crops per year, one in the summer and another in the fall, making them a solid middle-ground option. They offer a longer harvest window than June-bearers, which is a definite plus for anyone wanting fresh berries more often. If you can maintain ideal conditions with your environmental controls, you can encourage a more consistent, steady crop. This makes them a viable choice for indoor growers who are prepared to manage the temperature and humidity closely to extend their harvest.

For most of us growing indoors, day-neutral strawberries are the clear winner. These are the plants that truly live up to the promise of year-round fruit because their flowering isn't triggered by the length of daylight. As long as their other needs for water and nutrients are met, they'll keep producing berries continuously. This makes them absolutely perfect for an indoor setup where you control the "sunshine" with high-quality LED grow lights. While some growers find them a bit more delicate than other types, their ability to provide a steady, reliable harvest of fresh strawberries any time of year makes them the best choice for most hydroponic gardens.

Top Strawberry Varieties for Hydroponic Gardens

Once you start looking for which strawberry species to get, you will realize that you have various species to choose from. You should choose the type of strawberry that you can grow fast (like a few months instead of years fast).

Secondly, you need to look out for strawberry breeds that are perfect for hydroponic gardening. Third, you need to choose a strawberry strain that will bear fruit continually, so your choice will be one of two: day-neutral or ever-bearing.

Day-neutral strawberries bear fruit all year long, while ever-bearing bear fruit 2 or 3 times a year. These are known to be the best strawberry species:

• Red Gauntlet
• Brighton
• Chandler
• Tuft
• Douglas

Recommended Varieties: Albion and Seascape

If you're trying to decide which strawberries to grow, let me make it easy for you: Albion and Seascape are fantastic choices. Both are "day-neutral" varieties, which is a simple way of saying they don't depend on the length of daylight to produce fruit. This is a game-changer for indoor hydroponic gardens because you can provide consistent light with your LED grow lights and enjoy a steady harvest. They are reliable producers and perfect for anyone who wants fresh berries without waiting for a specific season to roll around.

You don't have to just take my word for it. Horticultural experts consistently recommend day-neutral types for hydroponics, and fellow growers often report that these varieties tend to be the most lush and beautiful plants in their setups. Because they aren't fussy about changing daylight or temperatures, they are perfectly suited for the controlled environment of an indoor garden. This reliability means you're much more likely to see a successful, delicious harvest.

To help your Albion or Seascape plants truly thrive and produce the biggest, juiciest berries, pay close attention to their diet. You'll want to use a high-quality nutrient mix that supports both leafy growth and fruiting. As your plants begin to flower, it's a good idea to slightly increase the nutrient strength. Many experienced growers aim for an Electrical Conductivity (EC) level between 1.3 and 1.6 to give the plants the extra energy they need to produce fruit. Keeping an eye on these levels will make a huge difference in your final yield.

Should You Start from Seeds or Runners?

Do not start your strawberries with their seeds because it will take a lot of time, and you will need more equipment. Strawberry seeds are small and take a long time to germinate, and some don't even start. Get yourself a clone or cuttings of the specific species you wish to plant.

Seeds are cheaper than getting whole strawberries, but getting clones or cuttings will save you months and significantly reduce the failure rate. Some seeds fail to begin altogether or take far too long to start.

Why Bare-Root Plants Are a Great Start

Instead of seeds, your best bet for getting a hydroponic strawberry garden going is to start with bare-root plants. These are dormant plants that have been grown in a field, dug up, and had the soil washed from their roots. They might look a little sad at first—like a bundle of roots with a few leaves—but they are hardy and ready to grow. Using bare-root plants gives you a major head start and helps you avoid the common issues that come with transferring soil-grown plants into a hydroponic setup. You won't have to worry about washing away dense soil, which can damage delicate roots, or accidentally introducing soil-borne pests into your clean hydroponic system.

How to Prepare Your Plants for a Hydroponic System

Once you have your bare-root strawberry plants, you need to prep them for their new home. This step is crucial for preventing disease and helping them adapt quickly. Start by gently rinsing the roots under cool, running water to remove any leftover dirt or packing material. Take a moment to inspect the root system. You can trim off any dead or overly woody-looking roots that might make planting difficult, but be careful not to remove more than about 20% of the total root mass. For an extra layer of protection, you can give the roots a quick dip in a solution of 3% hydrogen peroxide and water. This helps kill off any lingering pests or pathogens, ensuring your plants get a clean start in their new environment.

The Importance of Correct Planting Depth

How you place your strawberry plant into the growing medium is just as important as the prep work. The key is to get the depth just right to avoid crown rot, which is a common and fatal issue for strawberry plants. When you set the plant in your growing media, like coco coir or clay pebbles, make sure the crown—the thick, central part of the plant where the leaves sprout from—is not buried. A good rule of thumb is to leave about a quarter-inch of the roots exposed just above the surface. This positioning keeps the crown dry and allows for proper air circulation, preventing the rot that can occur if it stays constantly wet.

Creating the Perfect Environment for Your Strawberries

To create the ideal conditions for your hydroponic system strawberries, you need to take care of the lighting, pH value of the water, temperature of the room, and humidity in the air. Also, remember to keep the plant indoors to create a controlled environment.

For lighting, strawberry plants need a minimum of 9 hours of light. If you keep them inside a greenhouse, then they will get natural sunlight directly. If not using a greenhouse, then you need to keep it indoors with grow lights; you can use LED or fluorescent lights.

Light Duration for Healthy Growth

Strawberries are sun-lovers, and giving them enough light is crucial for developing sweet, juicy fruit. Aim to provide your plants with at least 10 to 12 hours of light each day. If your setup is in a greenhouse with plenty of natural sunlight, you're already on the right track. For indoor setups, you'll need to supplement with artificial lighting. High-quality LED grow lights are an excellent choice because they are energy-efficient and produce a full spectrum of light that mimics the sun, encouraging healthy growth from foliage to fruit. Position your lights correctly above the plants to ensure even coverage without scorching the leaves.

Ideal Temperatures for Day and Night

Maintaining the right temperature is key to helping your strawberries thrive and produce fruit. These plants are happiest in a warm environment, with an ideal temperature range between 65 and 80°F. Consistency is important, as drastic temperature swings can stress the plants and hinder their development. Using a simple thermometer in your grow area can help you keep an eye on conditions. If you find the temperature is fluctuating too much, you might consider using environmental controls like heaters or fans to create a more stable climate for your berry patch.

Managing Humidity and Airflow

Humidity plays a surprisingly big role in the health of your strawberry plants. The ideal relative humidity level is between 60% and 75%. If the air is too dry, your plants can suffer from issues like "tipburn," where the edges of the leaves turn brown and crispy. On the other hand, air that's too damp can invite mold. Good airflow is just as important; a gentle breeze from a small fan helps strengthen the plants' stems and prevents stagnant air that can lead to fungal problems. Using tools like humidifiers, dehumidifiers, and fans will help you dial in the perfect atmosphere for a successful harvest.

Getting the Water and pH Levels Just Right

Do not hose down tap water on your plants. Tap water contains several impurities that can ruin your strawberries. It contains chlorine, chloramine, and fluoride that can create chemical imbalances.

You need a dedicated water filter along with maintaining a pH value between 5.8 and 6.2. Depending on where the pH value lies can cause the plant to absorb or reject nutrients as needed because of the soil's toxicities. Learn more about pH and nutrients.

Ongoing Care for Healthy Strawberry Plants

Strawberries needs to have a balanced pH and nutrients to grow well. You can train the plant to bear fruit more. If you do some pruning of the berries, then the flower will exert more energy to focus on producing more berries instead of flowers. You will see higher yields and larger strawberries.

How to Pollinate Your Indoor Strawberry Flowers

When you're growing indoors, you don't have bees or wind to help with pollination. But don't worry, playing the part of the pollinator is easy and kind of fun. Strawberry flowers can pollinate themselves, but they need a little help moving the pollen from the male part (the stamen) to the female part (the pistil). All you need is a small, soft brush—a clean makeup brush or a small artist's paintbrush works perfectly. Once your strawberry flowers open, gently swirl the brush around the center of each blossom. This action picks up the yellow pollen from the outer ring and transfers it to the very center. Try to do this every day or two for each new flower to ensure you get plump, juicy berries.

First-Year Care for a Stronger Plant

It might feel counterintuitive, but for the best long-term results, you should snip off the first flowers your strawberry plants produce. I know, it's tough! But doing this for the first couple of months encourages the plant to put its energy into developing a robust root system and lush foliage instead of fruit. This initial sacrifice pays off later with much healthier plants and bigger harvests. You may have also heard that strawberry crowns (the base of the plant) are prone to rot if they get wet. This is true, but it's mainly an issue in soil where moisture can get trapped. Using a hydroponic system with good drainage, like an Ebb and Flow setup, helps keep the crown perfectly dry while the roots get all the water and nutrients they need.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even with the perfect setup, you might run into a few bumps along the road. Don't worry—most common issues with hydroponic strawberries are easy to spot and fix. Paying close attention to your plants is the key to catching problems early before they become major headaches. Think of it as learning your plants' language; they'll give you clear signals about what they need once you know what to look for. From maintaining healthy roots to balancing nutrient levels and keeping pests away, we'll walk through how to handle the most frequent challenges you might face, ensuring your path to delicious, homegrown strawberries is a smooth one.

Preventing Root Rot

Strawberries can be particularly susceptible to root rot, a condition where roots turn brown and mushy due to a lack of oxygen, often caused by overwatering or harmful pathogens. The best defense is a good offense. Make sure your hydroponic system has excellent aeration, especially in Deep Water Culture (DWC) setups where roots are constantly submerged. Adding a beneficial bacteria supplement to your water reservoir can also make a huge difference. These products introduce helpful microbes that outcompete the bad guys, creating a healthier root zone and protecting your plants from disease before it even has a chance to start.

Diagnosing Nutrient Burn and Deficiencies

Your strawberry leaves are the best indicators of nutrient issues. If you notice the tips of the leaves turning brown and crispy, you're likely dealing with nutrient burn, which means your nutrient solution is too strong. On the other hand, if new growth appears burnt or stunted, it often signals a nutrient deficiency, typically of calcium or boron. Regularly checking your nutrient solution with a pH and EC meter is crucial for keeping everything balanced. If you suspect nutrient burn, you can flush your system with pH-balanced water before adding a fresh, slightly diluted nutrient solution to get your plants back on track.

Dealing with Pests and Diseases

One of the great things about indoor hydroponics is that you'll face far fewer pests than in a traditional garden. However, pests like spider mites, thrips, and fungus gnats can still find their way inside. Growing your strawberries inside a dedicated grow tent helps create a physical barrier against these unwanted guests. If you do spot any pests, a simple spray with neem oil is often enough to handle the problem without resorting to harsh chemicals. For a more proactive approach, you can even introduce beneficial insects, or "good bugs," which act as a natural form of pest control and keep your garden's ecosystem in balance.

When and How to Harvest Your Strawberries

When you are ready to harvest your strawberries, start examining them. It would help if you were looking at ripe and bright red berries. Green berries still need more time to ripen. A typical strawberry flower blossoms in 4 weeks bearing the fruit from the first time it sprouts.

Strawberries are easy; they grow fast and are simply delicious. Now that you are well equipped with the knowledge needed to grow your own, it is time for you to get started.

How Long Until Harvest?

Patience is a virtue, but luckily, you won’t need much of it with hydroponic strawberries. If you start with runners or clones (which I highly recommend over seeds), you're on a fast track to fresh berries. For everbearing or day-neutral varieties, you can expect to see the first flowers pop up in about two to three months. Once those pretty white flowers appear, the real countdown begins. Your strawberries will typically be ripe, red, and ready to pick about four weeks after the plant starts flowering. This speedy timeline is one of the biggest perks of hydroponic growing, getting you from plant to plate much faster than a traditional garden bed.

What Kind of Yield to Expect

So, how many berries will you actually get for your efforts? While it varies based on your specific setup and plant variety, a healthy hydroponic strawberry plant can produce between 150 and 400 grams of fruit. The key to hitting the higher end of that range is maintaining a perfect environment. This means dialing in your environmental controls, providing 12 to 14 hours of daily light with a quality LED grow light, and ensuring your plants get a consistent supply of the right nutrients. With a little attention to detail, you’ll have a steady supply of delicious, homegrown strawberries for your morning yogurt or favorite dessert.

Ready to Grow Your Own Hydroponic Strawberries?

Strawberries are a universally loved fruit. They go well with any dessert, and people enjoy eating them on their own as well. While there may be challenges in growing them at home, many hydroponic fitting have made life so much easier. You can now get started immediately and be up and running in a couple of hours.

If you need further assistance from us, don't hesitate to give our team of experts a call on 866-GRO-INDR.