Edible Red Mock Strawberry (Potentilla indica / Duchesnea indica) is a charming perennial groundcover known for its bright yellow flowers and small, round red berries resembling wild strawberries. Native to Asia but naturalized in North America, this hardy plant spreads easily and adds color and texture to gardens, borders, and naturalized areas.
While its fruits are mild in flavor, they are non-toxic and edible, making it an appealing addition to ornamental and edible gardens. The Non-GMO Mock Strawberry thrives in a variety of conditions, from full sun to partial shade, and is prized for its low maintenance and continuous blooming.
Features
- Produces small edible red berries resembling strawberries
- Non-GMO perennial groundcover with yellow flowers
- Hardy and adaptable to various soil and light conditions
- Attracts pollinators like bees and butterflies
- Excellent for borders, rock gardens, and naturalized areas
- Easy to grow and self-spreading
Specifications
- Scientific Name: Potentilla indica (syn. Duchesnea indica)
- Common Name: Mock Strawberry / Indian Strawberry
- Plant Type: Perennial groundcover
- Growth Height: 4–8 inches
- Spread: 12–24 inches or more (spreads by runners)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 5–9
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Soil Type: Moist, well-drained soil; adaptable to loamy, sandy, or clay soils
- Bloom Season: Spring through summer
- Fruit Season: Summer to early fall
- Flower Color: Yellow
- Fruit Color: Bright red, strawberry-like
- Foliage: Deep green, trifoliate leaves
- GMO Status: Non-GMO
- Planting Season: Spring or fall
- Sowing Depth: 1/8 inch (lightly cover)
- Germination Time: 20–45 days
- Watering Needs: Moderate; prefers evenly moist soil
- Maintenance: Very low; may spread naturally by runners
- Wildlife Benefits: Attracts bees and butterflies
- Uses: Edible landscaping, decorative groundcover, container gardening, pollinator gardens
Planting Guide
- Prepare Soil: Loosen and enrich soil with compost; ensure good drainage.
- Sow Seeds: Scatter seeds on surface and lightly press; do not bury deeply.
- Light: Provide full sun to partial shade.
- Watering: Keep soil moist during germination and early growth.
- Spacing: 8–12 inches apart for dense coverage.
- Care: Trim runners if containment is desired; thrives in most soil types.
- Harvest: Fruits ripen to bright red; pick when fully colored.