Light: Full morning sun with afternoon shade; aim for about 6 hours of direct sun during the cool season. Protect from intense late-spring and summer sun.
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water deeply when the upper inch begins to dry; containers may need daily watering in warm weather. Use drip irrigation to keep foliage and fruit dry.
Soil: Fertile, compost-enriched, well-drained soil; slightly acidic conditions preferred, pH 5.5–6.5. Raised beds or containers help overcome Phoenix’s alkaline soils. Keep crowns at soil level.
Mature size: 6–12 inches tall and 12–18 inches wide per plant; runners can spread farther.
Bloom: Typically blooms from late winter through spring in Phoenix, with timing depending on cultivar and planting date. Extreme summer heat reduces flowering and fruit set.
Evergreen / deciduous: Generally evergreen in mild winters; foliage may decline during extreme heat or hard freezes. Often grown as an annual in Phoenix.
Growth rate: Moderate to fast during mild weather; slows markedly in extreme heat.