Will brown tips kill my blackcurrant?

Usually no, but they indicate the plant is stressed and may produce less fruit. Address the watering issue to help the plant recover.

Should I trim off the brown tips?

You can snip them off with clean scissors for appearance, but it does not fix the underlying problem. Focus on fixing the soil moisture instead.

Blackcurrant: brown tips, causes and fixes

Check these first

Check the soil moisture two inches below the surface.
Inspect the leaves for signs of spider mites.
Feel the soil for crusty white mineral deposits.

Likely causes

Underwatering
Most likely
How to tell: The soil feels dry several inches down and the leaves look brittle or crispy at the edges. This happens when the plant cannot pull enough water to support its foliage during hot spells.
What to do: Water the base of the plant deeply once or twice a week during dry weather. Aim for 2 to 3 gallons of water per plant to ensure it reaches the deep roots. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to hold that moisture in.
Salt buildup
Possible
How to tell: This is less common for this plant, and usually happens when using heavy fertilizers or hard water in containers. You will see crusty white deposits on the soil surface along with the browning tips.
What to do: Flush the soil thoroughly with plain water to wash out excess minerals. Avoid using chemical fertilizers for 4 to 6 weeks. Switch to a balanced organic compost to feed the plant gently.

Find out what's wrong with your blackcurrant

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

It is normal to see some browning at the very end of the season as the plant prepares for dormancy. Worry if the browning spreads rapidly across the whole leaf during the active growing season.

Stopping it coming back

Keep the soil consistently moist with a thick layer of organic mulch. Water deeply during dry spells to prevent stress.

Keep your blackcurrant healthy from here

Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked. Identification and a health check are free.

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Questions people ask

Will brown tips kill my blackcurrant?: Usually no, but they indicate the plant is stressed and may produce less fruit. Address the watering issue to help the plant recover.
Should I trim off the brown tips?: You can snip them off with clean scissors for appearance, but it does not fix the underlying problem. Focus on fixing the soil moisture instead.

Why are my blackcurrant's leaf tips turning brown?