Growing black currant
berry / bush fruit
Pollination
Modern 'Ben' and 'Titania' types are self-fertile; older varieties crop better with a second variety.
Growing it
Zones 3-7. Strong, musky flavour for cordial, jam and cassis. As with other Ribes, some US states restrict planting as a white-pine rust host - check locally.
Where black currant grows best
Hardy in zones 3-7, and it needs enough winter cold - about 800-1600 chill hours - to flower and fruit well. Combining the two:
Good fit across most of: Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming. Also parts of Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, California, District of Columbia, Georgia, Mississippi, Nevada, New Mexico, New York, Oregon, South Carolina, Texas, Washington.
Will you get enough chill?
Black Currant needs roughly 800–1600 hours between 32 and 45 °F over winter to break dormancy evenly. Check your area with the chill hours calculator. Low-chill breeding has pushed many varieties well below the figure here, so read the plant tag.
Questions gardeners ask
What zone does black currant grow in?
Black Currant grows in USDA hardiness zones 3-7.
How many chill hours does black currant need?
Roughly 800-1600 hours between 32 and 45°F over winter, depending on the variety. Low-chill varieties need less - check the plant tag, and estimate your own area with the chill hours calculator.
Does black currant need a pollinator?
Partly self-fertile — crops much better with a partner. Modern 'Ben' and 'Titania' types are self-fertile; older varieties crop better with a second variety.
Which states can grow black currant?
Black Currant suits most of Arkansas, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Maine, Maryland and 22 more, and parts of 14 other states where the right zones occur. Your own zone and chill hours matter more than the state.
Chill and pollination are given at the fruit-type level; specific cultivars can differ. Values are typical ranges for home-garden planning.