Whitecurrant
Ribes rubrum 'Whitecurrant'
Whitecurrants are sweeter and more delicate than redcurrants, with translucent, honeyed berries that glow like pearls on the bush. They are prized for jellies, sauces, and fresh eating, and are less attractive to birds than red varieties. Plant bare-root bushes in November–March in fertile, well-drained soil in full sun or partial shade. Space 1.2m apart and mulch with compost in spring. Prune in winter, shortening sideshoots to one bud and removing old wood. Harvest entire trusses in July when all berries are ripe. Whitecurrants are fully hardy and heavy-cropping once established.
Plan where to grow Whitecurrant using our vegetable garden planner.
When to Plant Whitecurrant
Plant whitecurrant in November, December, January, February, March. It flowers in April.
Time to Harvest Whitecurrant
Expect to harvest approximately 18 months after planting, usually from July to August.
Companion Plants for Whitecurrant
- French Marigold
French marigolds at the edge of the planting attract hoverflies whose larvae eat aphids, though the benefit to the fruit itself is anecdotal.
- Chives
Chives make a low, tidy edging under fruit and their flowers attract pollinators; they are traditionally thought to help deter aphids.
- Nasturtium
Nasturtiums are often grown as a sacrificial crop to draw aphids and blackfly away from nearby plants.
Expected Yield
A mature bush produces 3–5kg of fruit.
Pruning Whitecurrant
Prune in winter like a redcurrant to an open goblet, shortening main branches by a quarter and sideshoots to one or two buds; shorten new sideshoots to five leaves in early summer.
Common Problems with Whitecurrant
Berries split after rain
Whitecurrants split easily when swollen with water. Pick promptly when ripe, and avoid overhead watering during fruiting.
Bush becomes bare and unproductive at base
Prune out 3–4 of the oldest stems at ground level each winter to encourage new productive wood from the base.
Currant sawfly larvae strip leaves
Check leaves from April onwards for clusters of small green caterpillars. Pick off by hand or spray with organic pyrethrum at first sign.
Whitecurrant: common questions
When should I plant whitecurrant in the UK?
Plant whitecurrant from November to March.
How far apart should I plant whitecurrant?
Space whitecurrant about 1.2m apart. It grows to around 1.2m tall.
When is whitecurrant ready to harvest?
In the UK, whitecurrant is usually harvested from July to August.
When does whitecurrant flower?
Whitecurrant usually flowers in April in the UK.
Does whitecurrant come back every year?
Yes. Whitecurrant is a perennial and comes back every year, dying back or slowing down over winter and regrowing in spring.
When should I prune whitecurrant?
Prune in winter like a redcurrant to an open goblet, shortening main branches by a quarter and sideshoots to one or two buds; shorten new sideshoots to five leaves in early summer.
What grows well with whitecurrant?
Good companions for whitecurrant include French Marigold, Chives and Nasturtium. See the companion plants section above for why each one helps.
Is whitecurrant frost hardy?
Yes. Whitecurrant is hardy and survives a normal UK winter outdoors.
Plan your whitecurrant in the allotment planner
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