Mock Strawberry
Duchesnea indica
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Pl. 22A9 — Duchesnea indica
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IOverview
Overview
Mock Strawberry (Duchesnea indica) is a perennial plant native to regions including Afghanistan, Assam, China, India, Japan, Korea, and various other Asian countries. This light-loving species thrives in moist conditions with partial sun to full shade and can tolerate soils ranging from light sandy to heavy clay. It is hardy in zones 5-11 and reaches a height of only about 0.1 meters. Known for its edible fruit and leaves, Mock Strawberry is both ornamental and useful as an edible plant. Its distinctive feature lies in the false berries it produces, which resemble strawberries but are not true to their name; they are often used in jams and desserts despite being non-sweet.
Quick answers
What is Mock Strawberry?
Mock Strawberry (Duchesnea indica) is a perennial plant native to regions including Afghanistan, Assam, China, India, Japan, Korea, and various other Asian countries. This light-loving species thrives in moist conditions with partial sun to full shade and can tolerate soils ranging from light sandy to heavy clay.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Mock Strawberry thrives in full sun to partial shade and prefers moist, well-draining soil that can be light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It is hardy in zones 5-11 and grows as a perennial, reaching up to 0.1 meters in height. Propagate by dividing the roots or through seeds. The plant's edible parts include its fruit and leaves, making it useful both for ornamental purposes and culinary applications.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
5-11
Life cycle
Perennial
Mature size
0.1 m tall
For first-time growers
How to grow Mock Strawberry for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple and low-maintenance approach to growing Mock Strawberry.
- 1
What you'll need
A small pot, well-draining soil, and seeds or young plants.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring when the weather starts warming up.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Use a light, medium, or heavy soil mix that drains well. Ensure your pot has drainage holes.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds outdoors after all danger of frost is past, or start them indoors 4-6 weeks before planting outside.
- 5
First two weeks
Keep the soil moist and place in a partially shaded area to avoid direct sunlight.
- 6
Ongoing care
Water regularly but allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Provide partial shade during hot summer months.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back any dead or damaged leaves and stems in early spring to encourage new growth.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun, neglecting to prune, and not providing enough drainage.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FruitLeaves
Edible uses: The Mock Strawberry's fruit and leaves are edible. The small, strawberry-like fruits can be eaten raw or used in jams and jellies. The leaves are often consumed fresh in salads or cooked as a spinach substitute. Both parts add a mild, sweet flavor to dishes.
Other uses:Ground cover
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
25 native · 5 introduced
Distribution
25 native · 5 introducedDistribution across1 continent· 25 native· 5 introduced
Asia14 regions
native (14)AfghanistanChinaIndiaJapanLaosMyanmarNepalPakistanPhilippinesSouth KoreaSri LankaTaiwanThailandVietnam
Broader regions
native:Primorye, Hainan, Jawa, West Himalaya, East Himalaya, Lesser Sunda Is.
introduced:Connecticut, Chile South, Brazil South, Louisiana, Chile Central
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
Explore further
Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 22a9b112-7cee-498b-8e32-57fac6a09a91
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