Strawberry Varieties by Region: The Best Picks

Strawberries are a favorite for home gardeners across the United States. But to get the best harvest, it’s important to choose strawberry varieties that thrive in your region’s climate. Different varieties are bred for specific conditions—like heat tolerance, cold hardiness, or resistance to local pests and diseases.

Here’s a regional guide to the best strawberry varieties across the U.S., with tips on why they’re well-suited to each area.

Table of Contents

California and the Southwest

Warm winters and mild springs make this a strawberry powerhouse region.

Camarosa – A favorite in California for its large, firm fruit and long shelf life. Great for fresh eating and shipping.
Chandler – Produces juicy, flavorful berries early in the season. Adapted to Southern California’s mild winters.
Douglas – A heavy producer with sweet, bright red berries. Performs well in desert-adjacent zones.
Lassen – Early harvest variety with good fruit size. Popular in Central and Southern California.
Marshall – A heritage variety known for its rich flavor. Needs well-drained soil and cooler spring temps.
Quinault – An everbearing type that performs well in California’s coastal regions.
Sequoia – Ideal for mild coastal climates; delicious fruit but sensitive to heat.
Shasta – A vigorous plant that thrives in warmer climates with good disease resistance.

Best planting time:

Late fall to early winter (October to January) for mild-winter areas.
Early spring (February to March) for colder inland or high-desert areas.

Why: California growers often plant in fall for winter growth and early spring harvests, especially in coastal and southern zones. In hot interior areas, early spring planting avoids summer heat stress.

East (including the Southeast)

Warm summers and moderate winters call for resilient, productive plants.

Fletcher – Consistent yields and strong flavor. Handles the humidity well.
Guardian – Early-bearing, disease-resistant, and good for fresh eating.
Holiday – Midseason variety with sweet, aromatic fruit.
Jerseybelle – Cold hardy with juicy berries. Handles spring rain and warmth.
Marlate – Late-bearing, heat-tolerant option with firm fruit.
Ozark Beauty – A reliable everbearer that thrives in varied eastern conditions.
Raritan – An old favorite in the East for dependable crops and good flavor.
Redchief – Disease-resistant and consistent producer. Good for jam and freezing.
Sunrise – Early bearer with bright, sweet fruit.
Vesper – Hardy plant with medium to large berries and balanced flavor.

Best planting time:

Early spring (February to March in the Deep South, March to April farther north)

Why: Spring planting gives plants time to establish before summer heat. In very warm zones (like parts of Florida), strawberries may be planted in fall for winter and spring harvests.

Mid-Atlantic Coast

This area benefits from four distinct seasons and relatively fertile soils.

Pocahontas – Midseason producer with excellent disease resistance.
Raritan – Good cold tolerance and delicious berries make it a reliable choice.
Surecrop – Tough, productive, and forgiving—great for beginner gardeners.

Best planting time:

Early to mid-spring (March to April)

Why: Plant once the soil is workable and danger of deep frost is past. This allows plants to root well before summer.

Midwest

Hot summers, cold winters, and sometimes wet springs make hardiness and disease resistance key.

Earliglow – Early-bearing and exceptionally flavorful. Very cold hardy.
Jewel – Midseason variety with large, firm fruit. Disease resistant and productive.
Sparkle – Late season variety known for incredible flavor—great for jam.
Midway – Excellent winter hardiness and strong yields.
Cyclone – Handles variable spring weather with strong plants and good fruit set.
Guardian, Gem, Geneva – These are sturdy, midseason plants that hold up well to Midwest conditions.
Howard 17 (also known as Premier) – A classic midseason strawberry with reliable production.
Ozark Beauty – Thrives across the Midwest as a productive everbearer.

Best planting time:

Early spring (April to early May)

Why: Wait until soil can be worked and frost danger has passed. Spring planting lets plants become established and produce runners during summer.

Mid-South

Hot summers and mild winters call for heat-tolerant and disease-resistant varieties.

Ozark Beauty – Performs well in hot climates with consistent fruiting.
Suwannee – Heat-tolerant with good disease resistance. Developed in the South.
Tennessee Beauty – Compact, everbearing variety bred for warm climates.

Best planting time:

Late winter to early spring (February to March)
Fall planting (October to November) is also possible for everbearers in mild-winter areas.

Why: Milder winters in this region allow for either spring or fall planting, depending on variety and goals.

North

Cold winters demand varieties that are frost-tolerant and vigorous in short seasons.

Earliglow – Cold hardy and early-bearing with excellent flavor.
Jewel – Performs well in short summers; sweet and firm berries.
Robinson – Hardy with dependable yields.
Fairfax – An heirloom with superior flavor and good cold resistance.
Premier (Howard 17) – Tough, productive, and tasty.

Best planting time:

Early to mid-spring (April to early May)

Why: Cold-hardy varieties do best when planted as soon as the ground is workable and frosts have mostly passed.

Northeast

Late frosts and cool summers mean cold-hardy, disease-resistant varieties are best.

Dunlap – Hardy heirloom that bears midseason. Excellent taste.
Canoga – Strong yields and disease resistance.
Catskill – Large fruit and good shelf life.
Northeaster – Developed for New England—great flavor and vigor.
Redstar, Redcoat, Trumpeter – These are cold-hardy with good flavor and disease resistance.

Best planting time:

Spring (April to May)

Why: Cool-weather varieties thrive with spring planting and will root and spread over the summer for fruiting next year (for June-bearers) or later that season (for everbearing/day-neutrals).

Northwest

Cool, moist climate—especially in coastal areas—means disease resistance and mold tolerance are key.

Hood – Known for its rich, sweet flavor. Excellent for preserves.
Olympus – Midseason with good yield and firm fruit.
Puget Beauty – Bred specifically for the Pacific Northwest’s cool, damp conditions.
Totem – Heavy yields and good mold resistance.
Tribute and Quinault – Reliable everbearers for long growing seasons.

Best planting time:

Early to mid-spring (March to April)

Why: Cool and wet springs allow for healthy transplanting conditions. Avoid overly wet soils that could cause rot.

South and Gulf Coast

Hot, humid summers require heat-tolerant, disease-resistant plants.

Cardinal – Strong producer with large, tasty berries.
Florida Ninety – Specifically bred for hot, humid Florida gardens.
Tangi – Heat-loving everbearer with decent flavor and size.
Sunrise, Surecrop – Handle heat and moisture well with reliable crops.
Suwannee – One of the top southern strawberries. Great for both home and commercial use.

Best planting time:

Late fall (October to November)

Why: In zones 8–10, strawberries are often grown as winter crops. Plant in fall to harvest in late winter or early spring before summer heat hits.

Southern Plains

Hot summers and periods of drought are common here.

Cardinal – Popular in Oklahoma and Texas for yield and flavor.
Pocahontas – Midseason producer with disease tolerance.
Trumpeter – Strong, productive plant that handles dry spells.

Best planting time:

Early spring (February to March)
Fall (October) in milder areas.

Why: Beat the summer heat with spring planting, or try fall planting for stronger crowns and earlier harvest the following spring.

Upper Plains and Rockies

Cold winters, short growing seasons, and high elevations require rugged varieties.

Fort Laramie – Bred in Wyoming, it thrives in cold and elevation.
Ogallala – A cross between wild and cultivated strawberries—super hardy.
Trumpeter – Dependable midseason variety with good yields and flavor.
Cyclone – A solid performer in unpredictable mountain springs.

Best planting time:

Late spring (late April to early June)

Why: Cold nights and lingering snow can delay planting. Wait until the soil warms and danger of frost has passed.

Bonus Tip:

Day-neutral varieties can be planted a bit later than June-bearing varieties, since they fruit continuously once they’re established.
Bare-root crowns are usually planted earlier in the season than transplants, giving them time to establish.

Final Thoughts

No matter where you garden, there’s a strawberry variety suited for your region. By selecting cultivars bred for your local climate and soil conditions, you’ll set yourself up for success with better yields, fewer disease problems, and—best of all—sweet, delicious berries season after season.

Related Posts:

🌱 Getting Started with Strawberries

🍓 Choosing Strawberry Varieties

🪴 Growing Techniques & Care

🌞🌨️ Growing by Climate & Season