Can my plant recover after losing many leaves?

Yes, if the cause is treated promptly, the plant will likely push out new growth. Ensure it gets enough water and sunlight to recover its energy.

Is leaf drop contagious to other plants?

If the cause is powdery mildew, it can spread to nearby susceptible plants. Keep an eye on your other shrubs and treat them if you see the same white dust.

Why is my blackcurrant losing its leaves? Causes and fixes

Check these first

Look for white powdery spots on the leaves.
Inspect the buds for abnormal swelling.
Check if the soil has been consistently moist.

Likely causes

Powdery Mildew
Most likely
How to tell: You will see a white, dusty fungal coating on the leaves and stems. This often causes leaves to yellow and fall off prematurely during humid weather.
What to do: Prune out heavily infected branches to improve airflow through the center of the bush. Apply a neem oil spray or a fungicide labeled for currants every 7 to 10 days until the growth stops. Avoid overhead watering to keep the foliage dry.
Currant Big Bud Mite
Possible
How to tell: This is less common for this plant, and usually happens when mites infest the buds, causing them to swell abnormally and fail to open. The plant may drop leaves as it struggles to support the distorted growth.
What to do: Identify and remove any swollen, round buds during the winter months. Destroy these buds immediately to stop the mites from spreading. If the infestation is severe, you may need to prune the entire affected branch back to healthy wood.

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

Some leaf drop is normal in late autumn as the plant goes dormant. Worry if leaves fall off while they are still green during the spring or summer.

Stopping it coming back

Space your bushes properly to ensure good air circulation. Keep the area around the base clear of debris to reduce fungal spores.

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

Can my plant recover after losing many leaves?: Yes, if the cause is treated promptly, the plant will likely push out new growth. Ensure it gets enough water and sunlight to recover its energy.
Is leaf drop contagious to other plants?: If the cause is powdery mildew, it can spread to nearby susceptible plants. Keep an eye on your other shrubs and treat them if you see the same white dust.

Why is my blackcurrant losing its leaves?