How to Grow Strawberry in New Zealand
Updated June 2026
Plant runners in autumn through winter (April to July) in the north, or in late winter to early spring (August to September) in colder southern districts. Grow in full sun in free-draining soil or raised beds, mulch to keep fruit clean and net against birds.
What it looks like as it grows
When to plant strawberry in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | April, May, June, July |
| Auckland | April, May, June, July |
| Waikato & BoP | April, May, June, July |
| Wellington | April, May, June, July |
| Nelson & Marlborough | April, May, June, July |
| Canterbury | April, May, June, July, August, September |
| Otago & Southland | April, May, June, July |
| Central Otago | April, May, June, July |
Best strawberry varieties for NZ
- Camarosa, Popular early home-garden variety, sweet medium-large fruit, heavy cropper. (Awapuni Nurseries)
- Pajaro, Reliable mid-season cropper with firm flavoursome fruit, widely sold as runners. (Awapuni Nurseries, garden centres)
- Temptation, Day-neutral type that fruits over a long season and from seed, good in pots. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
- Alpine (Fragaria vesca), Small intensely flavoured everbearing berries, grows true from seed. (Kings Seeds, Egmont Seeds)
How to grow strawberry
- Space plants about 30cm apart.
- Sow seed around 1cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 90 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 14 days.
Companion planting
Grow strawberry near: Borage, Lettuce, Spinach, Thyme, Garlic, Onion.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Slugs and snails, Birds, Aphids. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
When it goes wrong
The most common ways strawberry trips people up, and what to change next time:
Fruit rots before ripening
Botrytis grey mould in wet weather, worse where fruit touches soil. Mulch with straw, pick ripe fruit promptly, and give plants airflow.
Lots of leaf and runners, little fruit
Too much nitrogen or old crowded plants. Ease off feed, thin runners, and replace plants every few years.
Birds beat you to the berries
Net the patch as the fruit colours up.
🌱 Plant Strawberry in your garden →FAQ
When is the best time to plant strawberry in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in April, May, June, July. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy strawberry seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Awapuni Nurseries, garden centres, Kings Seeds.