How To Grow White Strawberries (Pineberries)

White Strawberry Growing Guide

White strawberries (Fragaria x ananassa) are also known as pineberries, hula berries and alpine berries.  

They grow in pretty much the same way as regular red strawberries but they produce small white berries that have a citrus like flavor.

Many people describe the taste as a combination of pineapple and strawberry, hence the name pineberries.

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Growing white strawberries

HOW TO GROW WHITE STRAWBERRIES (PINEBERRIES)

Pineberries are easy perennial plants to grow, either in the garden or in containers.

They don’t produce much fruit in the first year but you can expect an abundance of berries in the second and third year of growth.

You can also use the runners to propagate more pineberry plants.

White strawberry fruits

Planting White Strawberries in the Garden

Choose an area of the garden that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight each day and has protection from late spring frosts.

Strawberries like rich, fertile soil, so before planting, dig some organic matter into the soil.

Plant the bare root plants or runners about 12 inches (30 cm) apart and mulch around the base to retain moisture in the soil.

As the weather warms up in spring, the plants will begin to bloom and the strawberries will be ripe for harvesting about 4 to 6 weeks after the plants flower. [1]

In the first year of growth, you may not get many pineberries on each vine and those that do grow are usually small in size.

Some people prefer to pinch off the flowers as they appear in the first year of growth to help the plant become established and achieve a greater yield in the following years.

The plants can stay in the ground over the winter months, but they will need to be heavily mulched to protect them from frost, snow and cold temperatures.

Pests and Diseases

White strawberries are very susceptible to damage from slugs and birds.

You can set up a slug trap made from beer, use a slug repellent that is safe for pets or go slug hunting in the garden after dark and pick them off one by one.

After the plants have been pollinated, it’s a good idea to cover the plants with netting to stop the birds eating the fruit as its ripening.

Powdery mildew can also be a problem for white strawberry plants, so always lift the leaves and water the base of the plant to keep the leaves dry.

Pineberries in a bowl

Growing White Strawberries in Containers

White strawberries will also grow well in containers or planters designed especially for growing strawberries.

I really like this 5 tier strawberry planter which can fit 20 plants or this ceramic strawberry planter that would be ideal for growing pineberries indoors in a sunny spot.

RELATED: How To Grow Strawberries Vertically

Growing White Strawberries from Seeds

I wouldn’t recommend trying to grow white strawberries from seed.

It’s a waste of time because the seeds don’t grow true to type because they’re a hybrid.

You’re much better off planting runners or bare root plants.

Harvesting

The berries are ripe when the skin becomes a creamy white color.

If the pineberries are easy to pull off the vine then they’re ready to harvest.

Pineberries growing in the garden

How to use Pineberries

Pineberries can be used in recipes in place of regular strawberries for an interesting twist.

They look great in fruit salads and desserts. You can also eat them fresh from the vine and enjoy their sweet citrus flavor.

Store them in a sealed container in the fridge for up to a week and wash them just before you’re ready to use them.

So there are my tips for growing white strawberries.

If you’re looking an interesting and unusual fruit to grow in your garden, you can’t go past pineberries.

I hope this has inspired you to try growing these attractive berries in your garden.

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Do you have any questions about growing white strawberries? Let me know in the comments below.

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Kelly Martin

Hi, I'm Kelly Martin, a landscape gardener and designer with over 10 years experience. I have a passion for small space gardening and I love designing and creating beautiful outdoor spaces that maximize the potential of small urban gardens. Read more

This Post Has 18 Comments

  1. Scott DeNicola

    I have never heard of or seen a white strawberry before so this is eye-opening for me. I love pineapples and strawberries so this may be the fruit I’ve been looking for my whole life! This summer I’m going to have to add a container on my deck for pineberries and see how it goes. Bookmarking this for when it’s warm again.

  2. Kileen

    I’ve never seen these white strawberries but definitely want to try to grow them this year!! Going to bookmark this for future reference

    Kileen

  3. Subhashish Roy

    I had heard about and seen white strawberries in pictures but have never seen them in front of me as they are hardly seen here in our country. Nice to know the process of growing them.

  4. Norma

    I never know that white strawberries existed. Thanks for the heads up and info. I would really like to to grow them. They remind me of aliens.

  5. I have never seen or eaten white strawberries. Your post is inspiring me to think about my garden. This year, I’m planning to add some fruits into the mix and white strawberries may be the perfect addition! I love that they can be grown in containers.

  6. Lindsay Brown

    These are so cool! And I think my kiddos would love them. I will definitely keep my eyes out for some white strawberry plants this coming planting season – thanks for sharing this info!

  7. Smita

    I don’t think I’ve eaten a white strawberry – might have seen it though and thought it’s just an albino strawberry! Good to see that it can be grown in planters too – I’m constrained for space so can give it a go in a container.

  8. Ivana Mearns

    These look lovely, I’ve never actually heard of these before, I did have white raspberries and they were delicious, I would definitely like to try some white strawberries after reading your article!

  9. Live Learn Better

    I have never heard of white strawberry before and they look so inviting and adorable here. Thank you for sharing the planting process and I’ll try see to planting it one day.

  10. Daphne takahashi

    I’ve tried these white strawberries during my trip in Japan, they are delicious! Highly recommend trying them out!

  11. LuLu B - Calabrisella Mia

    I’ve never heard of white strawberries! They definitely don’t exist in Italy – or at least I’ve never seen them at the fruit markets! They look so unusual but sound like they taste delicious!

  12. Erica (The Prepping Wife)

    I have seen white strawberries growing before and quite honestly assumed that they were simply unripe traditional strawberries. Shows you how much I know! I had no clue these were a hybrid and tasted like a combination of pineapple and strawberry. I probably would have stopped to eat a few much sooner. I am a big fan of the fact they can be grown in pots on the porch, they just need excellent sunlight. I’m always glad that I read your blog because I learn something new!

  13. Chloé Arnold

    How did I not even know white strawberries were a thing! I definitely want to try growing these!!

  14. Sonia Seivwright

    This is the first time ever I have seen or heard of white strawberries. Wonder what it tastes like? Where can we get some?

    1. Kelly Martin

      Hi Sonia, they taste like a combination of pineapple and strawberry. That’s why they’re also known as pineberries. You can buy white strawberry plants at most large nurseries or online.

  15. Lee

    Hi, my white strawberries grow great, the problem is they are producing heaps of runners but no fruit. What am I doing wrong? HELP

    1. Kelly Martin

      Hi Lee, how old are your pineberry plants? They usually don’t produce fruit in the first year. If they’re mature plants it may be a lack of water or overfertilizing causing the plants not to produce berries.

  16. Carissa

    Having read this I thought it was very enlightening. I
    appreciate you finding the time and energy to put this article
    together. I once again find myself personally spending a significant amount
    of time both reading and commenting. But so what, it was still worth it!

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