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Redcurrant · Ribes rubrum

Why is my redcurrant losing its leaves?

It is less common for a healthy redcurrant to drop leaves, but it usually happens due to extreme heat or severe drought. Check your soil moisture levels first to see if the plant is drying out too quickly.

Check these first

  1. Feel the soil to see if it is bone dry.
  2. Inspect the undersides of leaves for signs of pests.
  3. Check if the plant is in a spot that gets too much afternoon sun.

Likely causes

  1. Drought stress

    Most likely

    How to tell: The leaves look dry and brittle before falling off, and the soil feels like dust.

    What to do: Water the plant deeply until the soil is moist 6 inches down. Apply a 2 inch layer of organic mulch around the base to hold moisture in.

  2. Heat exhaustion

    Possible

    How to tell: Leaves wilt during the hottest part of the day and drop if the heat wave persists.

    What to do: Provide temporary shade with a cloth during the peak afternoon sun. Increase watering frequency to every 3 to 5 days during extreme heat.

Find out what's wrong with your redcurrant

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.

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When to worry

It is normal for redcurrants to drop leaves in late autumn as they prepare for winter dormancy. Worry if leaves fall during the peak of summer when the plant should be lush.

Stopping it coming back

Maintain consistent soil moisture throughout the growing season and keep the root zone mulched.

Keep your redcurrant 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 my plant grow new leaves?
If the cause is corrected, the plant will likely recover and push out new growth next season. It may not regrow leaves on the same stems this year.
Should I fertilize a plant that is dropping leaves?
No, do not fertilize a stressed plant. Wait until it shows signs of recovery before adding any nutrients.

More problems with Redcurrant

Back to the Redcurrant guide

This article was generated with AI from the plant’s care profile and is general information, not horticultural advice. Read about how we build these guides.