Currants can be grown relatively easily in pots on the terrace or balcony. However, there are a few special things you need to keep in mind if you want to harvest some berries. If the currant is only intended to serve as an ornamental plant, it is better to plant a blood currant.
How do I grow currants in a pot?
To grow currants in a pot, you need a strong plant, a large bucket (at least 50 cm in diameter), humus-rich garden soil, and berry fertilizer. Plant in the pot, place it in a sunny, wind-protected location and water and fertilize regularly.
Growing currants in the pot
This is what you need if you want to grow currants in a pot on the terrace:
- Strong currant plant
- Alternatively a standard plant
- Sufficiently large bucket
- Humose garden soil
- Berry fertilizer
Use large planters
Currants are shallow-rooted. They don't have deep roots, but they spread quite widely.
Therefore, plant the currant bush in a pot with a diameter of at least 50 centimeters.
Make sure that the pot has one or more drainage holes so that irrigation or rain water can drain away. Currants do not tolerate waterlogging well.
How to plant currants in a pot
Mix garden soil with mature compost and fill it into the bucket.
Do not plant the plant too deep. Gently press the soil down and water it.
Place the pot in a sunny, wind-protected location on the terrace or balcony.
Caring for currants in pots
The bushes need to be watered more frequently than outdoors because the potting soil dries out more quickly.
Fertilize the currant bush every two to three months with special berry fertilizer (€13.00 on Amazon) or use nettle manure.
Replace at least part of the soil every two to three years so that the currant receives enough nutrients.
Cut regularly
You have to cut currants in pots regularly.
Leave only a few young shoots. All branches older than four years are cut off at the base.
Short the shoots of the currant regularly so that a compact bush is created.
Grow several currants in the bucket
Currants are self-pollinating, but the harvest will be larger if you keep at least two specimens on the terrace.
Tips & Tricks
In the open field, currants do not need winter protection. However, if you plant the shrubs in pots, you should provide some protection against sub-zero temperatures, as potted soil freezes more quickly. You also need to water the potted plants occasionally in winter.
