Home › Red Currant › Grow in Illinois
Can You Grow Red Currant in Illinois?
US · USDA Zone 5b · zones 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a
Red currants are perfectly suited to your cool climate — they fruit reliably every year.
Plant zones
Illinois last frost
Illinois first frost
Days to harvest
About Red Currant
Red currants produce clusters of jewel-like berries in early summer — tart, high in pectin, and exceptional for jams, jellies, and juice. One of the most cold-hardy small fruits available.
Plant in a sheltered spot with good air circulation. Fruits on two and three-year-old wood — prune out older stems annually. Harvest full clusters in midsummer. Birds love them, so net the bush as they ripen.
Gardening in Illinois
Illinois has a humid continental climate with hot summers and cold winters. Chicago is Zone 5b-6a; southern Illinois is warmer at Zone 6-7. Classic Midwest growing region.
Frequently asked questions
Can you grow Red Currant in Illinois?
Red currants are perfectly suited to your cool climate — they fruit reliably every year.
What zone is Illinois?
Illinois spans USDA Zone 5b (4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a).
When do you plant Red Currants in Illinois?
See the planting guide for Red Currant — timing depends on your exact frost date.