Red Currant Growing Guide
Growing Red Currant is easier than you think. This guide walks you through everything you need — from planting your first seed to harvesting.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Berry
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Hardy
Cold Hardiness
Survives to -34°C
Plant Family
Grossulariaceae
Growing Season
Cool Season
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
Also grows well as
How to Start It
★ Recommended for beginners
Take pencil-thick hardwood cuttings in autumn, leaving the top few buds above ground (red currants are often grown on a short leg). They root over winter.
A jewel-like bush fruit borne in long strings, on a permanent framework of older wood (so prune to keep that framework, unlike black currant). Cold-loving and tolerant of some shade — a good crop for a north-facing spot.
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
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Last Chance to Plant
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When should you plant Red Currant?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Red Currant Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Red Currant's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
120 cm
Plant Spacing
150 cm
Row Spacing
Vertical Growing
Yes – Cordon.
Succession Planting
No.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Growing Tips
- 1Red currants are productive and forgiving, even in part shade.
- 2Prune in winter to keep an open goblet of older branches (they fruit on older wood).
- 3Mulch, water in fruiting, and net against birds.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
150 cm
Mature Height
120 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
21 days
When to Pick
Snip whole strings when berries are fully red and translucent
How to Harvest
- 1Wait until a whole string (strig) is fully red and slightly translucent, then snip off the entire string rather than picking single berries — it's quicker and kinder to the fruit.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
Seed Production
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