Troubleshooting
Flowering currant problems — and how to fix them
Flowering currant (Ribes sanguineum) is generally forgiving once you match its basics, but a few issues come up again and again. Here is what each one looks like, why it happens, and the fix.
Powdery mildew
White powdery coating on leaves in late summer, more common in dry, warm conditions. Improve airflow by thinning old wood after flowering; apply a sulphur-based fungicide at first sign if appearance is important.
Aphid colonies
Woolly or currant aphids may colonise young growth in spring, causing leaf curl and distortion. Blast with water or spray insecticidal soap targeting growing shoot tips. Natural predators (ladybirds, hoverflies) usually suppress populations by early summer.
Poor flowering after hard pruning
Flowers form on wood produced the previous year. Hard pruning in late summer or autumn removes the flowering wood. Prune immediately after flowering finishes (April–May) to allow maximum regrowth for the following season's display.
Prevent flowering currant problems before they start
Most flowering currant issues are care-mismatch, not bad luck. Dial in the basics:
Looking for flowering currant in general rather than its problems? Read the full flowering currant care guide — light, water, soil and feeding.
Flowering currant problems — FAQ
Why is my flowering currant powdery mildew?
White powdery coating on leaves in late summer, more common in dry, warm conditions. Improve airflow by thinning old wood after flowering; apply a sulphur-based fungicide at first sign if appearance is important.
Why is my flowering currant aphid colonies?
Woolly or currant aphids may colonise young growth in spring, causing leaf curl and distortion. Blast with water or spray insecticidal soap targeting growing shoot tips. Natural predators (ladybirds, hoverflies) usually suppress populations by early summer.
Why is my flowering currant poor flowering after hard pruning?
Flowers form on wood produced the previous year. Hard pruning in late summer or autumn removes the flowering wood. Prune immediately after flowering finishes (April–May) to allow maximum regrowth for the following season's display.