13 Strawberry Varieties You Might Not Be Aware Of

Did you know there are more than 100 species and subspecies of strawberries? While there are only three actual types of strawberries — everbearing, June-bearing, and day-neutral — there is a range of berries within each category, with new variations coming out every year as more are bred. The difference between these three types of strawberries comes down to how, where, and when they are grown and harvested.

However, the countless varieties come down to flavor, color, size, and production rate. Some strawberries are sweeter, some are tart, and some are massive while others are tiny with a big punch of flavor. While all strawberries are a great source of vitamin C and antioxidants, it can be helpful to know what kind you are buying or planting. Because they can be very unalike, they will yield different results in harvests and recipes. 

Next time you search for the biggest, brightest berry hoping it will be juicy and sweet, remember that it actually comes down to what it is. Here, you'll learn about some popular strawberry varieties you might not have heard of, and how they differ from one another.

One of the most adaptable everbearing strawberries, this cultivar is very popular commercially. Ozark Beauty strawberries produce very large and robust berries in abundance. They're also fairly easy to plant, which makes them a good choice for beginners. Since they are everbearing, you may see a late harvest beyond the typical strawberry season. Additionally, they can withstand colder temperatures, meaning they can be planted in several regions.

Like most everbearing varieties, these berries aren't very firm, so they can bruise easily when you are picking them. When Ozark Beauty strawberries are fully ripe, they are red throughout with a sweetness that isn't overwhelming.  Their honey-sweet flavor makes them ideal for home recipes like strawberry jams, jellies, or pies. Furthermore, they are suitable for canning, freezing, or just good old snacking. Overall, these strawberries are vigorous and full-flavored, and much larger than most everbearing varieties, making them understandably popular.

With the pretty, little white flowers that bloom alongside the fruit, Tristar strawberries are a popular variety for indoor planting or outdoor harvests. Because they are self-fertilizing and bloom repeatedly, they are very productive and easy to grow, and are done so throughout the United States. But they also grow well in containers, making them ideal for hanging planters in your house or on your porch. This day-neutral berry loves the sun, but it won't care when it starts to go down early -– it'll keep on sprouting. However, Tristar strawberries don't fair well in the shade or when it's too wet, so it may be best to plant them in a covered area if it rains often.

Tristar strawberries are firm and small to medium in size, with a sweet and sometimes tangy flavor. Glossy, bright red, and conical-shaped, they are beautiful to look at and delicious to eat. Partly because of their flavor and partly because they grow in large quantities, this variety is good for bulk use like making preserves or freezing.

Compared to other June-bearing varieties, Surecrop strawberries are bound to produce a large harvest, earning this variety its name. Sometimes irregular in size and shape, these berries are firm and deep red with yellow seeds. Most June-bearing strawberries are larger in size, and Surecrop strawberries are no exception. Harvests typically deliver berries that are medium to large in size. In general, they are a very robust variety. Tart and sweet, they are ideal for canning, desserts, and preserves. Like its name suggests, Surecrop strawberries can be grown in many regions and many types of soil but prefers sandy loams.

Some say these strawberries are high maintenance while others say they are low maintenance, but in any case, they require full sunlight and do their best blooming from May to June. As are several other strawberries, the Surecrop variety is self-pollinating and a productive grower. They are also able to withstand colder weather, and are rather disease-resistant.

Low-maintenance and perfect for beginners, Earliglow strawberries produce high yields in home gardens and are often found at locations where you can pick your own strawberries. As its name suggests, this June-bearing variety starts harvesting early and grows for a few weeks from June to July. However, the size of the berries will decrease as the season ends, so it can be helpful to plant these alongside an everbearing variety to encourage a staggered harvest. Although they slow down as the summer months end, they produce an abundance of runners, so future harvests are usually more bountiful.

These berries are adaptable in many regions as they are frost-resistant, but they do love exposure to full sun. When growing them at home, you'll get the best results in garden beds and containers. It's best to keep them outdoors, as they likely won't get the sun they require when they are inside. 

Earliglow strawberries are usually medium-sized, very sweet, and juicy. They are great for freezing, eating fresh, adding to a strawberry spinach salad, and making pies and preserves.

Similar to the Chandler variety, Camarosa strawberries are the main variety grown in California and shipped across the country to supermarkets. What differs between this variety and Chandler strawberries is that these June-bearing berries produce even earlier than most, making them ready for harvest at a fast pace. Another difference is the higher yield that comes from Camarosa strawberry plants.

This cultivar does well in hot and dry climates, or in indoor containers that can be relocated in inclement weather. But they still survive in many regions (USDA zones 4-10) and last during the winter.

Because they grow such large and firm berries, Camarosa strawberries keep for a long time and hold up well when shipping. Therefore, it is a popular choice for commercial growers. You are more likely to see strawberries that resemble this variety when shopping at the grocery store and can even find them in store-bought strawberry jams. When the berries ripen to a deep red and lose their glossy shine, they're at their peak flavor.

One of the biggest producers of strawberries, the Honeoye variety is very popular. Few other cultivars can deliver more berries than these. For both home gardeners and large-scale production, this variety is one of the top-ranked choices. Because they are incredibly resistant to cold temperatures, Honeoye strawberries are more unique than other June-bearing plants. Additionally, they are day-neutral so they aren't sensitive to a day's length. It's imperative to keep these plants healthy and maintained, as they can be affected by soil disease. You should also avoid planting them in areas where peppers, potatoes, tomatoes, okra, or eggplants were previously planted, as they can be susceptible to the same kind of diseases. But with plenty of water and care, Honeoye strawberries will have a plentiful harvest.

Varying from bright orange-red to red in color, these firm berries have a homegrown strawberry flavor. Their strong taste makes them perfect for strawberry margaritas, baked goods like pies or cobbler, or as a topping on salads. For the ultimate indulgence, dip them in chocolate.