Also known as Currant / Gooseberry · 123 saves
Ribes
Ribes, the genus most gardeners know as currant / gooseberry. We track 8 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 8 most-saved Ribes varieties
2 species of Ribes
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Ribes in Sow
Save the Ribes you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Ribes
Whats common across all Ribes varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 8 most-grown of them.
The Ribes year
- PruneApril and May88% of varieties
Prune immediately after flowering to shape and encourage next year's blooms.
- PlantFebruary, March, April, September and October63% of varieties
Plant bare-root stock in late winter/early spring or container stock in fall.
- FertilizeMarch38% of varieties
Apply a balanced slow-release fertilizer only if growth is weak.
- Spring CleanupFebruary38% of varieties
Remove dead, damaged, or crossing branches before new growth starts.
- MulchMarch38% of varieties
Apply a layer of mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.
Do
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Prune after flowering to maintain shape
- Mulch annually to conserve moisture
- Water consistently, especially during dry spells 💧
- Prune to shape and remove dead wood after flowering ✂️
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter
- Refrain from fertilizing excessively in late summer
- Don’t prune in late fall or winter to prevent stress ❌
What goes wrong with Ribes
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled foliage | Use horticultural oil or miticides |
| Currant Sawfly | Small green caterpillars that can rapidly defoliate the plant. | Hand-pick caterpillars. Spray with insecticidal soap or spinosad. Avoid broad-spectrum pesticides. |
| Currant aphid (Cryptomyzus ribis) | Raised red or yellow blisters on the upper leaf surface in spring, with colonies of pale aphids sheltering underneath | Wash colonies off with a jet of water as soon as blistering appears; damage is cosmetic and predators usually clear it by midsummer |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| White Pine Blister Rust | Yellow-orange pustules on the underside of leaves in summer. | There is no cure. Do not plant near 5-needled (white) pines. Remove and destroy infected plants. |
| Leaf Spot | Dark spots on leaves | Remove affected leaves and avoid overhead watering |
Making more Ribes
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Mist cuttings and keep in a humid environment for 4–6 weeks.
- Transplant rooted cuttings once established.
Hardwood Cuttings
- Take 8-12 inch cuttings from dormant, one-year-old wood in late fall.
- Make a slanted cut at the bottom and a flat cut at the top.
- Insert cuttings two-thirds of their length into the ground or a pot.
- Roots will form by the following spring.
Ribes questions
How many types of Ribes are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 8 distinct Ribes varieties. The most popular — ranked by 123 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Ribes grow in?
Across its varieties, Ribes covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Ribes bloom?
Most Ribes varieties bloom in mid-spring, early spring, early to mid spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Ribes should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.