Regulated in some states
This plant is listed as a noxious or regulated weed in parts of the US, where it may be illegal to grow. Check your state and local regulations before planting it.
Jostaberry
Ribes x nidigrolaria
fruitJostaberry (Ribes x nidigrolaria) is a vigorous, thornless shrub, up to about 6 to 8 ft tall, that is a complex hybrid of black currant and gooseberry. It bears large, smooth, dark reddish-black berries with a flavor between its parents: the deep, musky richness of black currant softened by the refreshing tartness of gooseberry, good fresh or cooked. It is self-fertile, easy, and notably disease resistant, shrugging off the powdery mildew, leaf spot, gall mites, and white pine blister rust that trouble its parents. Note that as a member of the genus Ribes it is legally restricted in some states.
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Sun
full sun
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Water
Every 5 days
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Harvest
~12 months
to first harvest
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Difficulty
easy
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Lifecycle
perennial
Comes back every year
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Spacing
5-6 ft apart
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Planting Depth
Set plants 1 to 2 in deeper than they grew, to encourage strong shoots from the base
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Soil pH
6.0-6.5
Growing Details
Soil Type
Fertile, moist, well-drained
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 8
When to Fertilize
Feed in early spring before growth begins
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer plus compost; potassium-loving like its currant parent
🌱 Growing Guide
Grow jostaberry in full sun to partial shade in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. It is self-fertile, though a second plant can boost yields. It is more vigorous and larger than currants and needs less fussy pruning: in late winter thin out the oldest wood to keep the bush open and productive. It is cool-climate by nature and appreciates afternoon shade and steady moisture in warm regions. Although jostaberry itself resists white pine blister rust, it is still a Ribes, so check local rules: currants and gooseberries are legally restricted in several states (all Ribes are prohibited in North Carolina, with patchwork restrictions elsewhere).
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
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Projected first harvest
Jul 4 · Year 2
JJan
FFeb
MMar
AApr
MMay
JJun
JJul
AAug
SSep
OOct
NNov
DDec
Year 1
✅ Plant alongside
Good neighbors that attract beneficial insects or deter pests
- Comfrey — A nutrient accumulator that makes a potassium-rich mulch
- Chives — Alliums help deter aphids and borers
- Marigold — Attracts beneficial insects and suppresses nematodes
❌ Keep away from
White pine
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Can blister leaves; rinse off and conserve ladybugs (jostaberry is fairly resistant)
Gooseberry sawfly
Larvae strip leaves; hand-pick and check undersides of leaves in spring
Larvae tunnel canes; cut out and destroy any wilting canes
🌾 Harvest & storage
Harvest jostaberries over a long season as they ripen: picked early and firm they are tart and gooseberry-like for cooking, and left to fully ripen to near-black they grow sweeter and richer for fresh eating. The first crop comes in the second year. The berries are excellent in jam, pie, and juice as well as fresh.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
Jostaberries are rich in vitamin C and antioxidants, combining the deep flavor of black currant with the tartness of gooseberry. They are eaten fresh when fully ripe and used in jams, pies, and juice.
For educational and informational purposes only — HomeSown is not medical, health, or other professional advice. Always positively identify any plant before handling or eating it; some plants, and some parts of otherwise-edible plants, are toxic. Consult a qualified professional before consuming or otherwise using any plant, especially if you are pregnant, nursing, taking medication, or have a health condition.