How to grow Redcurrant in New Zealand
Redcurrants are thornless berry bushes that hang strings of glossy, translucent red fruit in summer, tart and bright for jelly, cordial and desserts. They need winter chill to crop, so they thrive in cooler parts of New Zealand and last for many years with a yearly prune and a net against birds.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Redcurrants in New Zealand
At a glance
When to plant by region
| Region | When to plant | Regional note |
|---|---|---|
| Northland | Not suited | Northland winters are too mild to give redcurrants the chill they need to fruit. |
| Auckland | June to August | |
| Waikato & Bay of Plenty | June to August | |
| Central North Island | June to August | |
| Wellington & Lower North Island | June to August | |
| Nelson & Marlborough | June to August | |
| Canterbury | June to August | |
| Otago & Southland | June to August | |
| Central Otago | June to August |
Not to be confused with: Blackcurrant, a close relative with dark, strongly flavoured berries that fruit on young wood, and gooseberry, its thorny cousin.
Where to plant
Redcurrants suit cool to cold climates and moist conditions. Plant in a sunny spot with well-drained soil enriched with compost, sheltered from strong winds. In warmer districts, a spot with some shade from the hot afternoon sun keeps them happier. On clay, dig in gypsum and compost first.
- Northland: not suitable. Winters are too mild to give redcurrants the chill they need to fruit.
- Auckland and other warm coastal districts: crops are often light. Try a sheltered spot with afternoon shade, and expect less fruit than further south.
- Waikato, the central North Island, Wellington, Nelson and the South Island: redcurrants do well, with the cold winters they need.
Choosing a variety
- Gloria de Versailles is a vigorous, upright bush with big crops of large red berries on long strings in mid season, from late December to February.
- Myra McKee is a reliable home garden variety with good crops of medium-sized berries from December to February.
How to plant
- Plant between late autumn and early spring, while the bush is dormant.
- Dig in compost or a fruit tree fertiliser, and dig a hole wide enough to spread the roots.
- Set the plant at the same depth it grew, backfill and firm gently. Space bushes at least 1.5 m apart.
- Make a ring of soil around the plant to hold water, and water in well.
- Mulch with bark or pea straw, keeping it clear of the stems.
Watering and feeding
Keep the soil evenly moist, especially in spring and early summer while the fruit is swelling. A thick mulch helps hold moisture in dry spells.
Feed in spring and summer with a fruit or berry fertiliser that is high in potassium, which supports flowering and fruiting.
Pruning and care through the year
- Redcurrants fruit at the base of last year's shoots and on spurs on older wood, unlike blackcurrants, which fruit mainly on last season's growth. Aim for an open, vase-shaped bush.
- Prune in winter while dormant. Shorten the main branches by about half on a young bush, then each year cut out two or three of the oldest, weakest stems and any growing into the centre or low to the ground.
- Shorten side shoots on established bushes to build up short fruiting spurs close to the main branches.
- Net the bushes or grow them in a fruit cage as the berries colour, or birds will take the lot.
Harvesting
Pick when the berries are bright red and glossy, usually from late December to February. Cut or snap off whole strings rather than single berries, and strip them off with a fork in the kitchen.
Redcurrants keep a few days in the fridge and freeze well in sealed bags. They are high in pectin, which makes them excellent for jelly.
Growing in pots
A redcurrant grows well in a large pot at least 45 cm wide, filled with a citrus and fruit potting mix, in full sun with afternoon shade in warm areas. Water every two to three days, more in hot weather, and feed with a berry fertiliser in spring and summer.
Propagation
Redcurrants strike readily from hardwood cuttings taken from young, healthy wood between late autumn and late winter. Push the cuttings well into free-draining soil in a sheltered spot, and most will have rooted by the next winter. Take cuttings from young, healthy bushes, as old plants can pass on disease.
Companion planting
Redcurrants are usually grown with other berry bushes in a netted cage, which makes bird protection easier.
Good companions
- Gooseberry A close relative with similar needs, so it fits in the same netted cage.
- Blackcurrant Likes the same cool, moist conditions and can share netting.
Pests and diseases
Birds are the main problem. Currant borer and powdery mildew are the others to watch in New Zealand gardens.
Pests to watch for
- Birds Berries stripped from the strings as they colour. Net the bushes.
- Currant borer Shoots wilt and die back in summer, and a cut stem shows a dark tunnel in the centre. Prune out and burn affected canes in winter.
- Aphids Curled, puckered leaves at the shoot tips in spring, sometimes with red or yellow blisters.
Diseases to watch for
- Powdery mildew A white, powdery coating on young leaves and shoots, worst in still, humid spots.
- Leaf spot Small brown spots on the leaves in wet summers, followed by early leaf fall.
Common questions
Can I grow redcurrants in Auckland or Northland?
Northland winters are too mild for redcurrants to fruit. In Auckland they grow but usually crop lightly. They need winter chill and do best in cooler districts from the Waikato south.
When are redcurrants ripe?
From late December to February, when the berries are bright red and glossy. Pick whole strings at once.
How do I prune a redcurrant?
In winter, keep an open vase shape. Remove two or three of the oldest stems each year, cut out anything crossing the centre or lying low, and shorten side shoots to a couple of buds. Redcurrants fruit on spurs on older wood, so they are pruned differently from blackcurrants.
Do redcurrants have thorns?
No. Unlike their relative the gooseberry, redcurrants and blackcurrants have no thorns, which makes picking easy.
How do I stop birds eating my redcurrants?
Cover the bushes with bird netting or grow them in a fruit cage from when the berries start to colour. Make sure the net is secured at the base.
How long until a redcurrant bush fruits?
You can usually expect fruit after a couple of years, and a well-kept bush keeps cropping for many years.
Sources we checked: Yates NZ: How to grow currants; Waimea Nurseries: Redcurrant Gloria de Versailles; Waimea Nurseries: Redcurrant Myra McKee; RHS: How to grow redcurrants.