Redcurrant

About Redcurrant

Redcurrant is a deciduous fruiting shrub producing clusters of translucent, jewel-like red berries in midsummer. Native to parts of western Europe including Britain, it has been cultivated in British gardens since at least the 16th century. UK gardeners prize redcurrants for their sharp, tangy flavour in jellies, jams, and summer puddings, and for their reliable cropping in cooler climates. The bushes are compact, hardy, and well-suited to British conditions, thriving even in northern regions where many fruits struggle.

UK fact: Redcurrant jelly has been a traditional accompaniment to British roast lamb and game since Georgian times, and the fruit remains a cornerstone of classic summer pudding recipes across the UK.

Watering Redcurrant

Water regularly during the growing season, particularly from blossom time in April through to harvest in July, as moisture stress during this period reduces fruit size and yield. Established plants need around 20-30 litres per week during dry spells, applied at the base to avoid wetting foliage. British summers usually provide adequate rainfall, but in drier eastern regions or during prolonged dry periods, supplementary watering is essential. Mulching helps retain moisture and reduces watering frequency, particularly important on free-draining soils.

Sunlight requirements

Plant in full sun for the heaviest crops and sweetest berries, though redcurrants are unusually shade-tolerant for a fruiting plant. In the UK, they perform well on north or east-facing walls where morning sun is followed by afternoon shade, and this positioning can actually help protect early spring blossom from frost damage. Avoid deep shade, which will reduce cropping significantly and encourage leggy growth.

Soil and feeding

Plant in fertile, moisture-retentive soil enriched with plenty of well-rotted compost or manure, ideally with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. Redcurrants are less tolerant of poor, dry soils than blackcurrants and perform poorly on shallow chalk or sandy ground unless heavily improved with organic matter. Heavy clay soils are acceptable provided they don't become waterlogged in winter, which can cause root rot. On lighter soils, incorporate generous amounts of compost and mulch annually to maintain moisture retention throughout the fruiting season.

Feed in late February or early March with a general-purpose fertiliser such as blood, fish and bone at 100g per square metre, or use a balanced granular fertiliser. Follow with a 5-8cm mulch of well-rotted manure or garden compost to suppress weeds and feed the soil as it breaks down. Potassium is particularly important for fruit quality, so a supplementary feed of sulphate of potash in early summer can improve berry size and flavour, especially on lighter soils.

Pruning Redcurrant

Prune freestanding bushes between November and February while dormant, removing dead, damaged, or crossing branches and creating an open centre to improve air circulation and light penetration. Redcurrants fruit on wood that is two or three years old, so retain a framework of young, productive branches and remove wood older than four years. For cordons and fans trained against walls or fences, summer-prune sideshoots to five leaves in June or July to encourage fruiting spurs, then shorten these further to one or two buds in winter. Remove any suckers arising from the base to maintain a clear stem.

Propagating Redcurrant

Take hardwood cuttings in November or December from healthy, pencil-thick shoots of the current season's growth. Remove all but the top three or four buds to create a clear stem and prevent suckering, which distinguishes redcurrant propagation from blackcurrants. Insert cuttings to two-thirds their depth in a sheltered trench filled with sharp sand, spacing them 15cm apart. Cuttings root over winter and can be lifted and transplanted to their final positions the following autumn, though growing them on in a nursery bed for a second year produces stronger plants.

Common problems

Aphids, particularly redcurrant blister aphid, cause distinctive red blistering on leaves in spring but rarely affect cropping seriously; control by encouraging natural predators or using soft soap sprays. Birds, especially blackbirds and thrushes, strip ripe berries within hours of ripening, making netting from late June essential for any worthwhile harvest. Coral spot fungus can infect dead wood and spread to live stems, causing dieback; prune out affected material promptly and burn it. Leaf spot diseases occasionally cause premature defoliation in wet summers but are usually cosmetic rather than serious.

Spot a problem with your plant? Photograph the affected area using the Loam app and it will suggest the most likely cause and treatment.

Safety

Humans

Safe

Cats

Safe

Dogs

Safe

Toxicity information is for general guidance only.

Seasonal care calendar

Monthly care guide for Redcurrant in the UK, based on average conditions.

Frequently asked questions

When should I prune redcurrants?

Prune freestanding bushes in winter between November and February while dormant. For cordons and fans, summer-prune sideshoots to five leaves in June or July, then shorten these to one or two buds during winter pruning. This maintains shape and encourages fruiting spurs on older wood.

Why are my redcurrant leaves turning yellow with red blisters?

This is caused by redcurrant blister aphid, which feeds on the underside of leaves in spring causing distinctive red or yellow blistering. The aphids move away by early summer and damage is usually cosmetic, rarely affecting the crop. If you're unsure about leaf problems or pest identification, the Loam app can help diagnose issues from photos and suggest appropriate treatments. Encourage natural predators or use soft soap sprays in April if infestations are severe.

What type of soil do redcurrants need?

Redcurrants thrive in moisture-retentive but well-drained soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.5. They prefer fertile, loamy conditions enriched with organic matter such as well-rotted compost or manure. Avoid waterlogged sites, which can cause root rot, and very dry sandy soils unless you can water regularly. Mulching annually in spring helps retain moisture and suppress weeds around shallow roots.

Related plants

• Blackcurrant
• Gooseberry
• Blueberry
• Raspberry
• Strawberry