Blackcurrant Ribes nigrum
Blackcurrant (Ribes nigrum) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Grossulariaceae family, native to Europe and northern Asia. It grows 1.2–1.8 m (3.9–5.9 ft) tall and 1.2–1.8 m (3.9–5.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and high water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Blackcurrant in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Blackcurrant at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Grossulariaceae |
| Mature height | 1.2–1.8 m (3.9–5.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.2–1.8 m (3.9–5.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 6–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About -35 °C (-31 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 3) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 28 °C (82 °F) |
| Flowering | from about April for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: berries |
| Native to | Europe and northern Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇸🇪 Sweden, 🇵🇱 Poland |
Is Blackcurrant toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not listed as toxic; fruit is edible.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Blackcurrant
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and high water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Gooseberry: Gooseberry and blackcurrant share American gooseberry mildew (Podosphaera mors-uvae) and currant aphids, so spread between neighbouring bushes is likely. Evidence B
- avoid With Eastern white pine: White pine blister rust alternates between five-needle pines and currants/gooseberries; some US states restrict planting Ribes near white pines. Evidence B
Shared pests and diseases
- White pine blister rust: Alternates between five-needle pines and currants or gooseberries. Evidence B
Questions about Blackcurrant
- How far apart should I plant Blackcurrant?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.2–1.8 m (3.9–5.9 ft).
- Does Blackcurrant need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Blackcurrant need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Blackcurrant?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Blackcurrant flower?
- From about April for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Blackcurrant poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Not listed as toxic; fruit is edible.
- What grows well with Blackcurrant?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Blackcurrant. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
- APS compendia of plant diseases (host ranges, alternate hosts), American Phytopathological Society
- Fruit & Nut Research and Information Center: chilling requirements by species and cultivar, University of California, Davis
Notes and assumptions
- Restricted or banned by some US states because Ribes carries white pine blister rust; plant only where permitted; chill roughly 1000-1500 hours (northern cultivars); self-fertile.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Redcurrant Ribes rubrum
- Gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa
- Flowering currant (red-flowering currant) Ribes sanguineum
- Strawberry Fragaria x ananassa
- Blueberry Vaccinium corymbosum
- Dwarf apple tree Malus domestica
- Raspberry Rubus idaeus
- Blackberry Rubus fruticosus agg.