Sill/Patch Start free ›

Flowering currant

Ribes sanguineum

Also called Redflower currant and Winter currant

Garden plant · Shrubs

The leaves smell of cats to a lot of people, which is worth knowing before you plant one by a path. The bees do not mind — it is one of the first things out in March.

Care at a glance

Ease
Easy
Water
Once a weekWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
Light
Full sun
Feed
Every 45 days
Humidity
Average
Hardiness
Hardy — a very cold winter RHS H6, to -20°C
Size
2 m tall · 2 m across
Lifecycle
Shrub
Origin
Western North America

Is it safe for pets and people?

PetsNothing recorded against it

No animal-poison authority lists this plant either way.

PeopleNot checked yet

Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.

Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-11. Where a source says nothing, we say nothing.

A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.

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