Wildlife
- Feeds birds
- Pollinators
Bees work the spring flowers, and birds eat the ripe berries, so netting may be needed.
Ships bare root
Mature plant shown. Yours ships dormant and bare root.
What arrives
1 dormant bare-root plant, about 1–2 ft tall
- No leaves, no pot, no soil. Roots packed moist.
- Ships in your zone's planting window.
- Leafs out about 4–8 weeks after planting.
shrub · edible
Red Currant
Ribes rubrum 'Perfection'
- Ships 1–2 ft tall
- 1 plant, bare root
- Zones 3–7
- Grows 3–5 ft
$10.95Was $12.95Save 15%
No reviews yet. Be the first to reviewThe quick answer
Red currant is a fruiting shrub for USDA zones 3-7 that grows 3-5 feet tall and wide. Plant it in full sun or light afternoon shade in moist, well-drained soil. Buy it for clusters of tart red berries for jelly and fresh eating, starting 1-3 years after planting; one bush is self-fertile.
When it ships to you
Zone scheduleHow many?
plants
Free shipping on orders $75+$75
Healthy deliveryOr we replace it
Shipped dormantTimed to your zone
1-year warrantyStore credit, terms
Red Currant plant profile
Mature size3–5 ft tall · 3–5 ft wide
Typical (3 ft)Up to 5 ft
Compact, upright, multi-stemmed bush.
USDA hardiness zones3–7
Sun & growth
SlowMediumFast
Full sun to part shade; full sun gives the largest crop, and afternoon shade helps in warm areas. Fruit in about 1–3 years.
SoilpH 6.0–7.0
4 acidic6.59 alkaline
Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter; mulch to keep roots cool.
Edible harvestYellow fall color
Flowers & fruit
- Fruit in 1–3 yrs
- Edible
Small greenish-yellow flowers hang in strings in early spring. Clusters of tart, glossy red berries ripen in early to mid summer.
Leaves & fall color
Yellow in fall. Lobed, maple-like green leaves turn yellow in fall.
Pests & disease
Powdery mildew, aphids and currant borers are the usual problems; borers favor red currants, so cut out infested canes. Red currants are less susceptible than black currants to white pine blister rust, but they can still host it, which is why some states restrict them.
Pruning
Prune in late winter or early spring. Fruit forms on 1-, 2- and 3-year-old canes, so keep 9-12 canes of mixed ages and remove canes older than three years.
Bare root vs potted
Skip the garden-center markup.
Garden centers buy young plants, pot them, grow them another season and mark them up. We ship yours dormant and bare root, timed to your planting window.
Bare root, from us$10.95ships dormant
Example: 3-gal potted American hazelnut$70–$140online retail prices checked Oct 2026
A year with your Red Currant
SPRINGSmall greenish-yellow flowers hang in strings in early spring.
SUMMERClusters of tart, glossy red berries ripen in early to mid summer.
LATE SUMMERWatch for powdery mildew; keep the center open for airflow.
FALLLeaves turn yellow and drop; prune old canes in late winter.
Questions people ask about Red Currant
Do red currants need a pollinator?
No. Red currants are self-fertile, so a single bush will fruit, though planting a second variety can increase yields.
How long until a red currant bush produces fruit?
Expect the first berries 1-3 years after planting, with full crops once the bush has canes of several ages.
How do I prune red currants?
Prune in late winter or early spring. Fruit forms on 1-, 2- and 3-year-old canes, so keep three or four canes of each age and remove anything older.
Why can't red currants ship to some states?
Currants can host white pine blister rust, so some states restrict them. Check the can't-ship list on this page before ordering.
Can red currants grow in shade?
They tolerate part shade, especially afternoon shade in warm areas, but full sun gives the most fruit.
What does the red currant look like when it arrives?
It ships as a dormant, leafless bare-root bush about 1-2 feet tall. Soak the roots and plant it as soon as possible.
Plant it in 4 steps
- Soak the roots in cold water overnight before planting.
- Dig twice as wide as the roots; plant at the depth it grew.
- Water, then mulch. No fertilizer the first season.
- Water regularly until it's established.
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Plant facts checked October 2026 against: University of Minnesota, University of Wisconsin–Madison.