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.
Red Currant
Ribes rubrum 'Red Lake'
fruitRed Lake is the most popular red currant in the US, a productive long-clustered Minnesota selection with bright translucent ruby-red berries on long dangling stems. The shrub is incredibly ornamental in fruit (jewel-like clusters glow against green foliage) and produces 5 to 8 lb of fruit per mature bush. Red currant has a sharper more vibrant tartness than black currant and makes the best clear-red jelly imaginable.
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Sun
partial shade
💧
Water
Every 3 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
↔️
Spacing
4-5 ft in row, 8 ft between rows
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Planting Depth
Crown 1-2 in below original nursery soil line
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Soil pH
6.0-7.0
Growing Details
Soil Type
Rich, well-draining
Hardiness Zones
Zones 3 – 7
When to Fertilize
Early spring before bud break
Fertilizer
Compost; 10-10-10 at 1 lb per bush if growth is weak
🌱 Growing Guide
Plant in full sun to partial shade on organically rich well-drained soil. Red currants tolerate afternoon shade better than most fruit and live happily under high tree canopies. Hardy in zones 3 to 7. Set crowns 4 to 5 ft apart with the crown 1 to 2 in below original nursery soil. Self-fertile. Prune in late winter to keep 6 to 8 main canes, cutting out older 3-year-old wood. Mulch heavily to keep roots cool.
Planting Calendar
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Direct sow
Apr 15
🌾
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
- Garlic — Deters aphids around the canes
- Tansy — Repels currant sawfly
- Comfrey — Mineral-mining mulch keeps roots cool
- White Clover — Living ground cover fixes nitrogen
🛡️ Pest & disease prevention
Proactive ways to stop trouble before it starts — tap a name with an arrow for its full guide
Watch for tiny green caterpillars in early summer; hand-pick or treat with Bt before defoliation
Site for airflow; thin canopies annually
Blast with water, encourage ladybugs and lacewings
Drape lightweight netting over the bush as berries blush red
🌾 Harvest & storage
Red Lake ripens in mid-July. Pick whole clusters by snipping the stem above the topmost berry (not individual berries); this preserves the clusters intact and lets you strip with a fork at home. The berries are tart fresh and exceptional cooked into jelly (red currant jelly is a classic glaze for roast meats), pies, syrups, and the European red currant cordial. The long pendant clusters are also stunningly ornamental.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
About 56 calories per 100 g with 4.3 g fiber, 41 mg vitamin C (68 percent of DV), 275 mg potassium, and significant iron. Red currants are also rich in the polyphenol ellagic acid and the anthocyanins that give them their red color, both studied for cardiovascular and anti-inflammatory benefits.
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.