Garden Strawberry Fragaria × ananassa 'Pegasus' (F)
ABOUT
Fragaria × ananassa 'Pegasus', commonly known as the garden strawberry, is characterized by its lush green foliage which serves as a backdrop to the quintessential strawberry flowers—white with a tinge of pink, typically sporting five petals. Post flowering, it bears the iconic red fruit which is plump, conical, and packed with a juicy and sweet flavor. The texture of the strawberry's surface is dotted with numerous tiny seeds, which add a slight crunch to the fruit's otherwise soft flesh. The leaves are trifoliate, meaning they are grouped in threes, with a toothed edge giving them a serrated appearance, and they grow from the base of the plant in a rosette pattern. Alongside the fruit and the verdant leaves, the plant sends out runners—slender, trailing stems that can root to form new plants. These runners help the garden strawberry to spread across the area where it grows, creating a mat of dense greenery interspersed with pops of red from the ripe fruit and the delicate white of its flowers.
About this plant
NamesFamily
Rosaceae
Synonyms
Garden Strawberry, Cultivated Strawberry, Pineberry
Common names
Fragaria × ananassa 'Pegasus' (F)
ToxicityTo humans
The plant known as strawberry, particularly the cultivar Fragaria × ananassa 'Pegasus', is not toxic to humans. Strawberries are widely consumed as fruit and are generally regarded as safe to eat. However, in rare cases, individuals may experience allergic reactions to strawberries, which could manifest as hives, itching, or swelling in people who are sensitive to them.
To pets
Strawberries, including the cultivar Fragaria × ananassa 'Pegasus', are not considered toxic to pets like dogs and cats. In fact, strawberries can be a healthy treat for pets when given in moderation, as they contain vitamins and are low in calories. However, too many strawberries can cause gastrointestinal upset in some pets due to their sugar content or if the pet has a sensitivity to the fruit.
CharacteristicsLife cycle
Perennials
Foliage type
Deciduous
Color of leaves
Green
Flower color
White
Height
1 foot (0.3 meters)
Spread
1.5 feet (0.45 meters)
Plant type
Herb
Hardiness zones
5-8
Native area
Americas
Benefits
General Benefits- Edible Fruit: Produces strawberries that can be eaten fresh, used in cooking, or preserved through freezing or making jams and jellies.
- Aesthetic Appeal: It has attractive green foliage and white flowers that can beautify gardens and provide ground cover.
- Pollinator Attraction: The flowers attract bees and other pollinators, which can increase the biodiversity and health of the garden ecosystem.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it a good choice for beginner gardeners or those with limited gardening time.
- Culinary Versatility: Strawberries are incredibly versatile in the kitchen, used in desserts, salads, drinks, and various dishes.
Medical Properties- Antioxidant activity: Strawberries contain high levels of antioxidants such as Vitamin C and anthocyanins which can help counteract oxidative stress in the body.
- Anti-inflammatory properties: The polyphenols found in strawberries may help reduce inflammation in the body.
- Heart health: Consuming strawberries has been associated with reduced cardiovascular risk factors, including lowering LDL cholesterol and blood pressure.
- Regulation of blood sugar: Strawberries have a low glycemic index and may help in managing blood glucose levels, particularly beneficial for people with diabetes.
- Cancer prevention: Some studies suggest that the compounds in strawberries might have anti-cancer properties due to their antioxidant content.
- Neuroprotective effects: The antioxidants in strawberries may also provide protection against neurological disorders and age-related cognitive decline.
- Gastrointestinal benefits: The dietary fiber in strawberries can aid digestion and help maintain a healthy gastrointestinal tract.
- Weight management: Strawberries are low in calories and high in fiber and may contribute to a feeling of fullness, aiding in weight control efforts.
Air-purifying QualitiesThis plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses- Fragaria × ananassa 'Pegasus', commonly known as the strawberry plant, can be used in creating natural dyes. The berries can produce a light pink or pale red color when used for fabric dyeing.
- The leaves and stems of the strawberry plant can be incorporated into a compost pile. They decompose well and contribute to the nutrient content of the compost.
- Strawberry plants make for attractive edging plants in garden beds, adding a layer of greenery and, during fruiting season, a splash of red from the strawberries.
- The crushed berries can serve as a natural exfoliant in homemade skincare scrubs due to their slightly acidic nature and seed texture.
- Dried strawberry leaves can be used in decorative wreaths and as part of floral arrangements, giving them a unique, natural touch.
- When grown in containers, strawberry plants can act as a natural air freshener for outdoor sitting areas, with their sweet-smelling blooms.
- Fragaria × ananassa 'Pegasus' can be used in educational gardens to teach children about plant growth cycles and the basics of botany.
- Frozen strawberries from the plant can be used in ice packs as a natural soothing agent for minor bumps and bruises.
- The strawberry plant can serve as a living mulch, with its dense leaves shading the ground and preserving soil moisture when planted closely.
- Dried and powdered strawberry leaves from the plant can be sprinkled over garden soil as a slow-release plant nutrient, decomposing gradually to enrich the soil.
Interesting Facts
Feng ShuiThe strawberry is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign CompitabilityThe strawberry is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism- Innocence: Fragaria × ananassa 'Pegasus', commonly known as the strawberry plant, often symbolizes purity and innocence due to its delicate blossoms and sweet fruit.
- Fertility and abundance: The strawberry plant is also a symbol of fertility and abundance, which stems from its propensity to produce plentiful blossoms and fruit.
- Love and affection: Strawberries have long been associated with Venus, the Roman goddess of love, due to their heart shape and vibrant red color, making them emblematic of romance and affection.
- Perfection and righteousness: Its symmetrical berry shape tied strawberries to ideals of perfection in medieval times, while their white flowers represented purity and righteousness.
WaterStrawberry plants, including the 'Pegasus' variety, require consistent moisture, particularly during their fruiting season. Water them thoroughly to ensure that the water penetrates deeply into the soil, reaching the roots. Typically, strawberries should be watered with approximately one inch of water per week, which equates to about 0.623 gallons per square foot per week. During particularly hot or dry periods, the frequency may need to increase to maintain soil moisture. It is best to water strawberries in the morning to allow any wet foliage to dry out over the course of the day, reducing the risk of fungal diseases.
LightStrawberries, such as 'Pegasus', thrive in full sun conditions, meaning they require at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight each day. The best spot for these strawberries is in an area where they can receive unobstructed sunlight throughout the day. Avoid planting in shady areas, as insufficient light can reduce fruit production and overall plant vigor.
TemperatureStrawberries like 'Pegasus' prefer a temperate climate and can typically withstand a temperature range of 20°F to 80°F; however, they grow best when daytime temperatures are around 65°F to 75°F. They are hardy to a certain extent, but prolonged exposure to temperatures below 20°F or above 85°F can be detrimental to the plants. To ensure optimal growth and fruit production, protect the plants from extreme temperatures with mulch, row covers, or by choosing a planting site with some natural temperature moderation.
PruningStrawberry plants, including 'Pegasus', should be pruned to remove dead leaves and spent fruit to encourage healthy growth and fruit production. Pruning is best done immediately after harvesting when the plants are dormant. This typically occurs in late fall. Prune out any brown or yellow leaves as well as any daughter plants if you do not wish them to spread. Pruning helps to reduce disease and pest problems and stimulates new growth for the next season.
CleaningAs needed
SoilThe ideal soil mix for growing strawberry (Fragaria × ananassa 'Pegasus') should be well-draining and rich in organic matter with a pH between 5.5 and 6.5. A combination of loam, peat, compost, and perlite is beneficial, ensuring proper moisture retention without waterlogging.
RepottingStrawberry plants like Fragaria × ananassa 'Pegasus' should be repotted every 2-3 years or when noticeable signs of crowding occur. The best time to repot is in early spring before the growing season begins.
Humidity & MistingStrawberry plants, including Fragaria × ananassa 'Pegasus', prefer moderate humidity levels around 60-80%. These conditions support healthy leaf and fruit development without promoting fungal diseases.
Suitable locationsIndoor
Use bright, indirect light and well-draining soil.
Outdoor
Choose a sunny spot with rich, well-drained soil.
Hardiness zone
5-8 USDA
Life cycleFragaria × ananassa 'Pegasus', commonly known as Pegasus strawberry, begins its life cycle as a seed, which after stratification and exposure to the right conditions, germinates and develops into a small seedling. The seedling grows into a mature plant with a rosette of leaves on short stems, and in the right season, it produces flowers that are typically white to light pink. Upon pollination, usually by insects or wind, these flowers develop into juicy, red fruits - the strawberries. The plant continues to grow and produce runners (stolons), which spread out from the main plant, touch ground and can root to form new strawberry plants, creating a clonal colony. During its perennial growth cycle, the plant goes dormant in the winter, with the roots surviving underground, and then it resumes active growth in the spring. After several years, the productivity of the plant diminishes, and it is often replaced in cultivation.
PropogationPropogation time
Spring-Early Summer
The most popular method of propagation for the Fragaria × ananassa 'Pegasus', commonly known as the Pegasus strawberry, is through runners, which are stolons that the plant naturally sends out. These runners develop small plantlets at their tips that can grow roots when they come into contact with the soil. Propagation typically takes place in the late summer or early fall. To propagate Pegasus strawberries through runners, gardeners will pin the runners down into the soil or into a pot of soil ensuring the small plantlets have good contact. After a few weeks, the runners will have developed their own root systems and can be cut from the mother plant, then transplanted to a new location in the garden or into a separate pot, allowing them to grow into mature strawberry plants.
