A gardening expert has revealed a simple method for growing strawberries at home using fruit from the supermarket, claiming it means 'you'll never have to buy another strawberry plant again'. The technique, demonstrated on TikTok by Ifzaal, known as Nature with Ifzaal, involves slicing the outer layer of a store-bought strawberry to extract seeds for propagation.
Step-by-Step Method to Grow Strawberries from Supermarket Fruit
Ifzaal, who has over 26,000 followers on TikTok, explained the process in a video. 'This is what happens when you grab any shop-bought strawberry and slice away the outer layer. You'll only need one strawberry for this, but it can get quite fiddly, so use a sharp knife,' he said. He cuts thin strips off the surface of the strawberry and places them on a piece of kitchen roll. 'Make sure every slice is nice and thin, just like this,' he added.
After laying the slices on a flat surface covered with kitchen paper, Ifzaal instructs viewers to leave them to dry for a few days. 'After leaving them to dry for a few days, you should have something that looks like this. The strawberry slices will have dried off completely, allowing you to just rub off the seeds nice and easily,' he said. The clip shows him gently rubbing the paper, causing tiny seeds to fall off. 'The seeds are really tiny and hard to see, so I advise dropping them into a white plate so you can keep track of where they're falling,' he advised.
Planting and Care for New Strawberry Seedlings
Once the seeds are collected, Ifzaal recommends using a small container filled with compost. 'I'm just using the container that the strawberries came in,' he noted. 'After that, you need to gently sprinkle the strawberry seeds on top of the compost, just like this. Keep the soil moist and pretty soon you'll have some seedlings. To add moisture, just use a spray bottle or a misting bottle like I'm doing here.' He added that after a couple of months, the seedlings will be ready to plant outside. 'By following this really easy method, you'll never have to buy another strawberry plant again,' he concluded.
Optimal Timing and Conditions for Planting Strawberries
While it may be too late to plant strawberries for this summer, gardeners can still start a crop for next year. According to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS), planting strawberries in August or September gives plants time to establish before fruiting the following year. The RHS advises that strawberries can be grown in dedicated beds, large pots, growing bags, hanging baskets, or window boxes, in a sheltered position with full sun, though some shade is acceptable. They should not be planted in areas prone to late frost.
The RHS states: 'Strawberries are easy to grow in pots, growing bags, hanging baskets, troughs and tubs. Although traditional strawberry pots (with planting holes around the sides) look attractive, they can make it difficult to maintain healthy, productive plants.' They recommend filling a large container with peat-free multi-purpose or soil-based compost, planting with the crown just level with the surface, and spacing plants about 20cm (8in) apart. The container should be placed in a sheltered, sunny spot and watered regularly.
Watering and Maintenance Tips
Strawberry plants require regular watering while establishing, especially those in containers and hanging baskets, as compost can dry out quickly. The RHS advises avoiding wetting the centre, or crown, of the plant or the fruit, as this can lead to fungal problems. With proper care, homegrown strawberries offer a rewarding and cost-effective alternative to store-bought fruit, and this propagation method ensures a continuous supply without additional purchases.
