Plants grow from a central crown. Every year branch crowns grow from the mother plant. These branch crowns do not form roots, but they do produce foliage and flowers. Branch crowns and runners crowd each other and the mother plant, reducing productivity over a 3-year period. The primary root of a strawberry plant lives for one year.
New roots form higher on the crown, making the plant look like it is growing out of the ground.
These roots are more exposed and easily damaged by winter weather. At the base of each leaf is an axillary bud that can form runners, flowers or another crown. Roots form at the base of new leaves on runners. A runner can be cut and used as a new plant. Strawberry flower clusters develop in stages.