Ribes nigrum
Fruit & Nuts

Black Currant

Ribes nigrum

Black Currant · Light: Partial sun · Water: Moderate. Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.

LightPartial sun
WaterModerate
DifficultyModerate
CategoryFruit & Nuts
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Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.

Black Currant — Growing reference

Scientific nameRibes nigrum
First harvest or flowering (days)548–730
Measured fromTransplant
Plant spacing (cm)121.9–152.4
Mature height (cm)91.4–152.4
Mature spread (cm)91.4–152.4
USDA hardiness zones3–6
LightPartial sun
WaterModerate
Sowing methodCutting

Growing directions

Black currants fruit most heavily on one-year-old wood, so annual renewal pruning is critical: remove one-third of the oldest canes each late winter to stimulate vigorous new shoots. The berries have a strong, tannic flavor prized for jams and juices; harvest when the entire strig has turned glossy black. Choose blister-rust-resistant cultivars such as 'Consort' or 'Titania' where regulations permit. Verify local restrictions before planting.

Source and local conditions

Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.

OpenPlantDB · black-currant

Source & verification

OpenPlantDB · CC0

Open reference source ↗