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.
White Currant
Ribes rubrum 'White Imperial'
fruitWhite currant (Ribes rubrum White Imperial) is a white-fruited form of the red currant, a hardy deciduous shrub about 3 to 5 ft tall bearing hanging strings of translucent, pale-gold berries. They are sweeter, milder, and lower in acid than red currants, making them pleasant for fresh eating as well as for jelly and preserves. White Imperial is an old, richly flavored variety. The bush is easy, productive, and very cold hardy, thriving in cool-summer climates. Note that as a member of the genus Ribes it is legally restricted in several 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
4-5 ft apart
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Planting Depth
Set bare-root or potted plants 1 to 2 in deeper than they grew, to encourage new 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 – 7
When to Fertilize
Feed in early spring before growth begins
Fertilizer
Balanced fertilizer plus compost; currants are potassium-loving
🌱 Growing Guide
Grow white currant in full sun to partial shade (afternoon shade is welcome in warm areas) in fertile, moist, well-drained soil. It is self-fertile, so a single bush will fruit. Each year it sends up new shoots from the base; the best fruit comes on two- and three-year-old wood, so prune in late winter to keep about four to six well-spaced canes of each age and remove anything older than three years. It is a cool-climate plant that resents heat and dry soil, so mulch and keep it watered. Because all currants can host white pine blister rust, keep it away from five-needle (white) pines, and check local rules: currants and gooseberries are legally restricted in some states (for example all Ribes are prohibited in North Carolina, with patchwork rules in Maine, Massachusetts, Rhode Island, and West Virginia).
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 currants appreciate
- Chives — Alliums help deter aphids and currant pests
- 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
Causes red blisters and curling on leaves; rinse off, conserve ladybugs, and control ants
Larvae tunnel canes, which wilt; cut out and destroy affected canes and keep plants vigorous
White coating in humid, crowded conditions; prune for airflow and avoid wetting foliage
🌾 Harvest & storage
Harvest in mid-summer when the whole strand (called a strig) has colored to translucent pale gold and tastes sweet; pick the entire strig rather than individual berries to avoid crushing them. The first crop comes in the second year, with peak production by about year five. The mild, sweet berries are good fresh and make a delicately flavored jelly.
🥗 Nutrition & benefits
White currants are rich in vitamin C and fiber and lower in acid than red currants, so they are sweeter for fresh eating. They are also used in jelly, preserves, and desserts.
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.