Growing Strawberries with Hydroponics

Indoor Fruit

Strawberries are one of the most satisfying fruits to grow hydroponically. By moving established crowns from your outdoor garden into an indoor system, you can extend the growing season and enjoy fresh berries year-round. This guide covers the full process from selecting crowns to harvesting ripe fruit.

Strawberry crowns ready for hydroponic transplanting

What You Need

Step 1: Select and Prepare Your Crowns

Choose healthy, disease-free crowns from your outdoor strawberry patch. Look for plants with strong root systems and no signs of rot or pest damage. Trim any dead or damaged leaves and gently wash the roots to remove all soil. Soak the roots in clean water for about an hour before transplanting.

Strawberry crowns being prepared with roots washed clean of soil

Step 2: Set Up Your Indoor System

Assemble your NFT channel or vertical tower system. Fill the reservoir with water and add nutrient solution. For strawberries, aim for an EC of 1.0–1.5 and adjust the pH to 5.5. These values keep the plants well-fed without risking nutrient burn on the sensitive root systems.

Step 3: Transplant the Crowns

Place each crown into a net pot with clay pebbles or perlite supporting the roots. Position the crown so that the base sits just above the growing medium — burying it too deep can cause rot. Set the net pots into your system and ensure the roots have good contact with the nutrient flow.

Strawberry plants growing in a hydroponic system under grow lights

Step 4: Provide Light

Strawberries need 12–16 hours of light per day for good fruit production. Position your grow light 20–30 cm above the plants. Day-neutral varieties are less sensitive to day length than June-bearing types, which makes them well suited to indoor growing under artificial light.

Step 5: Monitor Nutrient Levels

Check your EC and pH every two to three days. Maintain the EC between 1.0 and 1.5 and keep the pH at 5.5. Top up the reservoir with fresh nutrient solution as the plants drink. A stable nutrient environment is key to consistent berry production.

Step 6: Pollinate

Indoors, there are no bees or wind to pollinate your flowers. Use a small soft brush or cotton swab to gently transfer pollen from flower to flower. Do this every couple of days when flowers are open. You can also use a small fan to simulate a light breeze, which helps with pollen movement.

Step 7: Harvest

Strawberries are ready to pick when they are fully red and slightly soft. Harvest by snipping the stem just above the berry rather than pulling, which can damage the plant. With day-neutral varieties and proper care, you can expect continuous harvests every few weeks.

Ripe hydroponic strawberries ready for harvest

Tips for Success