Fragaria 'Lipstick', lipstick strawberry
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Groundcovers

Fragaria 'Lipstick'

lipstick strawberry

RosaceaeHybrid of garden origin

At a Glance

Typeperennial
Habitspreading
Foliagesemi-evergreen
Height4-6 inches (10-15 cm)
Width18-24 inches (45-60 cm)
Maturity1 years

Growing Zones

USDA Hardiness Zones

4 - 9
Zone 4Zone 5Zone 6Zone 7Zone 8Zone 9
These zones indicate the coldest temperatures this plant can typically survive.
What's my zone? →
Frost Tolerancehardy

Key Features

Attracts PollinatorsContainer Friendly
Maintenancelow

Overview

Fragaria 'Lipstick' is an ornamental strawberry, growing 4–6 inches (10–15 cm) tall and spreading 18–24 inches (45–60 cm) by runners. Deep rose-pink 5-petaled flowers 1 inch (2.5 cm) from late spring through fall — the pink flower color distinguishes 'Lipstick' from edible strawberry cultivars, which have white flowers. Repeat-blooming over a 14–16 week season. Small red strawberry fruit develops after flowering — edible but small (0.5 inch / 12 mm) and sparse; the cultivar is grown for the pink flowers, not for fruit production. Dark green glossy trifoliate leaves (3 toothed leaflets per leaf). Semi-evergreen — retains foliage in mild winters, goes deciduous in cold winters. Spreads by runners (stolons) to form a ground-cover mat — each runner produces a daughter plant at its tip, which roots and sends out its own runners. In the rose family (Rosaceae). The hybrid parentage involves F. chiloensis (beach strawberry, native to Pacific Coast) and/or F. × ananassa (garden strawberry). Full sun to partial shade — full sun for heaviest flowering. Non-toxic — all parts edible. Zones 4–9. Growth rate is fast (via runners).

Native Range

Hybrid of garden origin — parentage includes Pacific Coast and garden strawberry species.

Suggested Uses

Grown as a flowering ground cover in zones 4–9, in borders, containers, and hanging baskets. The repeat-blooming pink flowers (not white) distinguish it from edible strawberry cultivars. Spreads by runners. Non-toxic — edible fruit (small).

How to Identify

Identified by deep rose-pink flowers (not white) on a low spreading ground-cover strawberry with trifoliate glossy leaves and runners. The pink flower color distinguishes it from white-flowered edible strawberry cultivars. Small edible fruit (grown for flowers, not fruit).

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height4" - 6"
Width/Spread1'6" - 2'

Reaches mature size in approximately 1 years

Colors

Flower Colors

pink
rose

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

bronze
red

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~16 weeks
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SpringSummerFall
Late spring through fall (May–September), repeat-blooming over 14–16 weeks. Deep rose-pink flowers. Small red fruit follows (edible but sparse). The extended pink bloom season is the cultivar feature.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Deep rose-pink (not white like edible strawberries), 5-petaled

Foliage Description

Dark green, trifoliate (3 leaflets), glossy, toothed

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full SunPartial Shade
Requires 4-8 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range5.5 - 7.0(Neutral)
357912
Soil Types
loam
Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

moderate

Frost Tolerance

hardy

Time to Maturity

1 year

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Full sun to partial shade. Consistent moisture. Spreads by runners — allow for ground-cover formation or remove runners to contain. Grown for pink flowers, not fruit production. Non-toxic — edible. Zones 4–9.

Pruning

Remove runners to contain spread, or allow for ground-cover formation. Cut back winter-damaged foliage in early spring. The stoloniferous habit is self-renewing.

Pruning Schedule

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summerearly spring

Maintenance Level

low

Container Growing

✓ Suitable for container growing

Minimum container size: 2 gallons

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Non-toxic