Currant
Currant is a fruit in the Grossulariaceae family. It grows best in full sun to part shade with medium moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 3-8.
Varieties
1 · sorted by days to maturity▸Currant
PROPAGATION CATEGORY: Berry shrub (cuttings) (not currently in seed catalog). Use: Jelly, juice, baking (black currant for cordial). Note: Self-fertile and very cold-hardy. Ribes can host white pine blister rust and is restricted/banned in some US states - check local rules.
Currant (Ribes rubrum red/white, R. nigrum black) is a hardy, self-fertile berry shrub propagated by hardwood cuttings. Tolerates part shade. Hardy zones 3-8; planting is regulated in some areas due to blister rust.
Growing notes: Botanical name: Ribes rubrum|Hardiness zones: 3-8|Propagation: hardwood cuttings|Sun needs: Full sun to part shade|Water needs: Medium|Mature height: 3-5 feet
Plan your currant planting
Add currant to a free GardenDraft plan and get sow, transplant, and harvest dates computed for your ZIP code — with a drag-and-drop bed layout and reminders when it’s time to plant.
Start your free plan →At a glance
Storing & preserving
Refrigerate ripe fruit; ripen firm fruit at room temperature.
- Freeze: Freezes well raw; spread on a tray first so pieces stay loose.
- Preserve: Make jam or water-bath can high-acid fruit.
- Dry: Dehydrate or air-dry, then store airtight away from light.
General home-preservation guidance — for tested processing times and safety, follow the National Center for Home Food Preservation.
Growing timeline
Care & troubleshooting
No curated care & troubleshooting advice for currant yet. Our extension-sourced library currently focuses on common edible crops; we're expanding it over time.