How to Grow Currants in the US

Updated September 2026

Blackcurrants and redcurrants for northern gardens

Currants are hardy, compact bushes that bear strings of glossy berries in early summer. Blackcurrants are strongly flavored and rich in vitamin C, best cooked into jam, syrups and pies. Redcurrants, and their pale sport the white currant, are brighter and sharper, and make clear jelly.

Before you buy, check your state's rules. Currants and gooseberries belong to the genus Ribes, which can host white pine blister rust, and some states restrict or regulate planting them.

Where Currants Grow in the US

Currants need cool summers and cold winters. In the Pacific Northwest plant while dormant in February, March or November. In the Northeast and New England and the Midwest and Great Lakes, plant early in spring (April or May) or in October. In the Mid-Atlantic plant in February, March or November and give them afternoon shade. They are very hardy in the Upper Midwest and Northern Plains, where you plant in April or May as soon as the ground thaws. In the Mountain West, plant in April, May or October with afternoon shade and steady water. In the Southern Plains, plant in February, March or November with afternoon shade and mulch; they struggle in the hotter south of the region. Currants are a proven Alaska berry, planted in May or June once the ground thaws.

Valley summers in Northern California and the Central Valley are too hot, though cooler coastal and mountain gardens can try currants in afternoon shade. The Mid-South, Texas, the Gulf South and Florida are too hot with too little winter chill, the Desert Southwest is far too hot and dry, Southern California is too mild and dry, and Hawaii has no cold winter. In every region, check your state's Ribes rules first. The calendar below shows blackcurrant; redcurrant planting months are the same in every region. Choose your region below for local planting months.

Varieties to Try

Consort (black)

A blackcurrant bred for resistance to white pine blister rust. Hardy and productive, with rich-flavored fruit.

Titania (black)

A vigorous, rust resistant blackcurrant with large berries and good mildew resistance.

Crusader (black)

Another rust resistant blackcurrant, often planted with Consort to improve cropping.

Red Lake (red)

A long-standing, reliable redcurrant with long strings of bright red berries.

Rovada (red)

A late redcurrant with very long strings of large berries, easy to pick.

White currants

Pale forms of redcurrant, such as Blanka, with sweeter, milder berries.

Planting

Plant bare root or container bushes while dormant, in the months shown for your region. Choose a spot with morning sun and, in warmer areas, afternoon shade. Currants like moist, rich, well-drained soil that is slightly acid to neutral, about pH 6 to 6.8. Dig in plenty of compost.

Space bushes about 5 feet apart. Plant blackcurrants about 2 inches deeper than they grew in the nursery, which encourages new shoots from below ground. Plant redcurrants at nursery depth. Water in and mulch thickly, because currant roots are shallow. In a container, use a pot at least 16 inches wide.

Care and Pollination

Pollination: currants are self-fertile, so a single bush crops. Blackcurrants usually set heavier crops with a second variety nearby.

Water: keep the soil evenly moist, especially while fruit swells. A thick mulch of compost or wood chips keeps roots cool.

Pruning blackcurrants: they fruit best on stems grown the previous year. Each winter, cut about a third of the oldest stems down to the ground to make room for new ones.

Pruning redcurrants: they fruit on short spurs on older wood. In winter keep an open bush of well-spaced stems, removing any stems older than about three years and shortening side shoots.

Feeding: spread compost in spring. Avoid heavy nitrogen, which encourages mildew.

Pests and Diseases

These are the problems US gardeners are most likely to meet:

White pine blister rust: A fungus that needs both five-needle pines and Ribes plants to complete its life cycle. On currants it shows as orange spots under the leaves in summer, followed by early leaf drop. Blackcurrants are highly susceptible, so choose rust resistant varieties and follow your state's rules.
Imported currantworm: Green, spotted sawfly larvae that strip leaves from the center of the bush outward in spring. Check inside the bush often and pick them off.
Currant aphid: Causes red or purple puckered blisters on leaves in spring. Usually cosmetic; hose aphids off and let beneficial insects work.
Currant borer: A clearwing moth larva that tunnels in canes, which wilt and die. Cut affected canes to the ground in winter.
Powdery mildew: White, powdery coating on shoots and leaves in warm, humid weather. Prune for airflow.
Birds: They strip ripe berries fast. Net bushes as fruit colors.

For organic control methods, see our organic pest management guide.

Tip: Call your state department of agriculture or county extension office before ordering currants. Rules vary by state and can cover which species or varieties you may plant.

Harvest and Storage

Currants ripen in early to midsummer. Pick redcurrants and white currants as whole strings once every berry is colored, then strip the berries off with a fork. Blackcurrants on a string ripen over a week or two; pick them when they are fully black and slightly soft.

Fresh currants keep only a few days in the fridge, but they freeze very well. Freeze them on a tray, then bag them for jam, syrups and baking.

Track Your Currant Bushes

Add blackcurrants and redcurrants to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for pruning, netting and harvest time.

Open the App →

Frequently Asked Questions

Is it legal to grow currants in my state?

It depends on the state. Because currants and gooseberries can host white pine blister rust, some states restrict or regulate planting Ribes, especially blackcurrants. Check with your state department of agriculture or county extension office before you buy.

What is the difference between blackcurrants and redcurrants?

Blackcurrants have a strong, musky flavor and are mostly cooked, and they fruit best on last year's stems. Redcurrants are bright and tart, good for jelly and fresh use, and fruit on spurs on older wood, so the two are pruned differently.

Why do my currant leaves have orange spots?

Orange spots under the leaves in summer are usually white pine blister rust or another rust. Rake up fallen leaves and grow rust resistant varieties such as Consort or Titania.

Can I grow currants in the South?

Our calendars do not list currants for Florida, the Gulf South, Texas or the Mid-South, where summers are too hot and winters too mild. The Southern Plains can grow them with afternoon shade and mulch.