Duchesnea indica, now commonly known as Potentilla indica (poh-ten-TILL-uh IN-dih-kuh), is an evergreen perennial belonging to the genus Potentilla and a member of the family Rosaceae, also called the rose family.
It was previously named Duchesnea indica and originally Fragaria indica but was changed into Potentilla indica because botanists considered this plant most closely related to potentilla plants.
The previous name Duchesnea was named after and in honor of Antoine Nicolas Duchesne, an 18th-century French botanist.
This ground-hugging perennial plant is native to native to eastern and southern Asia, particularly China, Japan, Afghanistan, and Russian Far East, but it also has been widely distributed in North America.
It also grows abundantly in forests, wetlands, moist woodlands, lawns, and agricultural areas.
Potentilla indica is well-known for its bright yellow flowers and tiny red fruits resembling a true strawberry’s appearance.
Although its fruits look similar to a native strawberry, it’s not a true strawberry, hence the common name mock strawberry.
Its flowers are also often confused with the Potentilla species, Potentilla fruticosa (Shrubby Cinquefoil), because of its yellow flowers.
Its fruits also resemble the Fragaria, also known as the garden strawberry.
Potentilla indica also goes by several common names, including:
- Mock strawberry
- False strawberry
- Indian strawberry
- Indian mock strawberry
- Rock strawberry
- Yellow-flowered strawberry
Quick Facts On Potentilla Indica
- Family: Rosaceae
- Light: Full to partial shade
- Temperature: Can survive winter temperature of -20° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Regular watering; well-drained soil
- Fertilizer: Balanced fertilizers
- Propagation: Seeds or stolons
- Common Problems: Slugs, snails, aphids, gray mold
Potentilla Indica Care
How Big Does Mock Strawberry Grow?
Duchesnea indica, now named Potentilla indica, is a low-growing deciduous ground cover, typically only reaching 2½” inches tall, and its stems spread about more than 1′ foot long.
Mock strawberry has a medium to fast growth rate, commonly taking around 2 to 5 years to mature.
When Does Mock Strawberry Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Although Duchesnea indica is known as mock strawberry, it features bright yellow flowers instead of the white flowers commonly found in true garden strawberries.
It produces rosettes of compound evergreen leaves with three elliptic or ovate leaflets that are coarsely toothed in its margins. Each leaflet is also borne from its small stalk, sparsely covered in hairs.
The yellow flowers of mock strawberry bloom from early to late summer (April to June), and after the flowering season, it’s followed by the tiny, bright ovoid or spheroid red fruits that resemble true strawberries.
The red strawberry-like fruit is a drupe, but unlike garden strawberries, it is edible but has a dry texture and a bland flavor.
In addition, the fruits have a mass of small red seeds on their bumpy surface.
Another notable difference between a mock strawberry and a native wild strawberry is that its fruit points upwards, while wild strawberries grow downwards or towards the ground.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
Potentilla indica thrives in full sun or partial shade areas.
When exposed to full sun, mock strawberries require about 6 hours or more of direct sunlight daily, while it only needs about 2 to 6 hours of direct sunlight, a part of the day in partial shade locations.
They are also best grown in North–facing, South–facing, West–facing, or East–facing aspects.
Mock strawberries also grow best in USDA Hardiness Zones 5 to 9.
Moreover, this plant may tolerate various light conditions and withstand winter and heavy frost with temperatures of -20° Fahrenheit.
However, it’s important to note that fruits will prolifically grow when planted under full sunlight, similar to native wild strawberries.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Mock Strawberry?
Duchesnea indicas are drought-tolerant but may still need regular watering to produce enough fruit and flowers, especially during the growing season.
Mock strawberries may not need too much water, but always keep the soil moist to prevent them from withering and provide enough nutrients.
Like garden strawberries, they need fertilizing to help the plant thrive, further increasing fruit production.
You may use a balanced fertilizer, a liquid plant food, or a fertilizer heavy on nitrogen once a week.
What Is The Best Soil For Duchesnea Indica, And When Should You Transplant?
Duchesnea indica thrives in humus-rich soil with excellent drainage but may also adapt to different soil types.
This plant also prefers mildly acidic with a soil pH of 6.1 to 6.5 to mildly alkaline with pH levels of 7.6 to 7.8.
Mock strawberries don’t need consistent repotting, but you may repot them using a rich soil mix in containers or pots in spring.
Does Duchesnea Indica Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
Pruning a potentilla indica is unnecessary, but you may remove withered plant parts like fruit or flowers and unwanted overly long runners to curb the plant’s spread.
How To Propagate Potentilla Indica?
Potentilla indica can be propagated by:
- Seeds
- Stolons
You can purchase seeds from seed vendors in stores or online when you choose seed propagation.
Here’s what you need to do:
- Sow the seeds in damp potting soil at room temperature. It’s best to do it from February to March.
- Next, lightly cover the sown seeds and place them in a propagating tray or mini greenhouse.
You may begin to notice plants sprouting by early May.
However, it’s easier to propagate this low-growing flowering plant through stolons because they are self-fertile and can pollinate themselves.
Like native strawberries, mock strawberries can produce new plants using stolons.
Stolons or runners are stems that grow along the ground surface, which this plant extends from the crown, taking root in the soil and producing new plants, also called “daughter plants,” from their nodes.
Mock Strawberry Pests And Diseases
Mock strawberries are generally disease free but may occasionally be a target of pests, such as:
- Aphids
- Snails
- Slugs
They are especially attacked for their fruits.
You may remedy any sign of infestation by washing them away with water or using an insecticide.
When using insecticide, properly follow the label directions as it can harm humans, animals, and other plants.
Mock strawberries can also be prone to gray mold when overwatered. Remedy it by giving adequate light and good air circulation.
Uses Of Potentilla Indica
Potentilla indica is a low-growing flowering plant that forms thick mats, making it an excellent groundcover or decorative hanging plant as the stems cascade from its container.
You may also plant them as ornamental in containers or pots, the ywllow flowers and red fruits providing a pop of color throughout the summer.
Mock strawberries are also best planted in the following locations:
- Banks
- Courtyard gardens
- Flower borders
- Garden beds
- Patio
- Underplanting of shrubs or trees
In addition, mock strawberry fruits, leaves, and flowers are edible, but it’s important to note that it’s less palatable than common garden strawberries.
Still, you can make mildly-flavored jam, jelly, or juice from their fruits.