Gooseberry Ribes uva-crispa
Gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa) is a deciduous perennial fruit plant in the Grossulariaceae family, native to Europe, North Africa and western Asia. It grows 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) tall and 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) wide, wants part sun to part shade and moderate water, and is hardy to about -35 °C (-31 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
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Gooseberry at a glance
| Type | Perennial fruit plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Grossulariaceae |
| Mature height | 90 cm–1.5 m (35 in–4.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 5 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance low, 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, North Africa and western Asia |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia, 🇸🇪 Sweden |
Is Gooseberry toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Not listed as toxic; thorny stems can injure.
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 Gooseberry
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and moderate water.
Keep apart or take care
- caution With Blackcurrant: Gooseberry and blackcurrant share American gooseberry mildew (Podosphaera mors-uvae) and currant aphids, so spread between neighbouring bushes is likely. Evidence B
- caution With Redcurrant: Gooseberry and redcurrant share American gooseberry mildew 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 gooseberries; keep them well apart. Evidence B
Shared pests and diseases
- White pine blister rust: Alternates between five-needle pines and currants or gooseberries. Evidence B
Questions about Gooseberry
- How far apart should I plant Gooseberry?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–1.5 m (3.3–4.9 ft).
- Does Gooseberry need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 5 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Gooseberry need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is low and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Gooseberry?
- It tolerates about -35 °C (-31 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 3.
- When does Gooseberry flower?
- From about April for 2–3 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Gooseberry 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; thorny stems can injure.
- What grows well with Gooseberry?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Gooseberry. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (moderate).
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
- Spiny; American gooseberry mildew is the main problem, so choose resistant cultivars; restricted in some US states because Ribes carries white pine blister rust; chill roughly 800-1200 hours (estimate).
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
- Blackcurrant Ribes nigrum
- Redcurrant Ribes rubrum
- 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.