How big does Gooseberry grow?

About 1.5 m × 1.5 m after ten years (height × width).

What soil does Gooseberry grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, acidic.

Hardy down to -34 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

How far from the house should Gooseberry be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How much water does Gooseberry need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: low.

How much does Gooseberry cost?

It sells for roughly €7.90 to €23 in local shops, depending on size.

Gooseberry

Ribes uva-crispa

Gooseberry (Ribes uva-crispa) is a fruit plant that reaches 1.5 m × 1.5 m after ten years. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -34 °C. Drought tolerance: low. Sold in local shops from about €7.90.

Illustration of Gooseberry — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

Gooseberry is a low, thorny fruit bush that is often sold grafted on a one metre stem as a small standard, which makes picking easier and leaves room for planting underneath. It is self-fertile, so a single plant crops: green fruit for cooking in June, ripe fruit for eating fresh in July. It likes cooler, more humid spots, so place it where it gets some afternoon shade, even among fruit trees, and keep the soil evenly moist. If the thorns bother you, look for a nearly thornless variety.

Watch out for

In Central Europe the most serious disease of gooseberry is American gooseberry mildew: shoot tips and berries are covered first by a white, later a brown felt-like coating and the fruit becomes inedible. It is prevented by an open, airy bush, cutting off infected shoot tips and choosing resistant varieties (for example the Hinnonmäki varieties, Invicta or Pallagi óriás). Leaf spot causes leaf drop by midsummer, and gooseberry sawfly larvae can strip a bush bare within days, so check the inside of the bush from May. It copes badly with hot, dry lowland summers: in scorching sun the leaves and berries scorch and drop and the next crop is weaker too, so watering and mulching are needed. Late frost can damage the early flowers.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Medium
Size after 10 years: 1.5 m × 1.5 m
Hardiness: down to -34 °C
Foliage: Deciduous

Group	Fruit
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	1.5 m × 1.5 m
Ultimate size	1–1.5 m × 1–1.8 m
Hardiness	down to -34 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Acidic
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	March–May, green
Harvest	June–July
Self-fertile	yes
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Low
Maintenance	Medium
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	yes
Spreading	Low
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	150 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic (uncertain)
For cats	no data
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €7.90

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
20-50 cm	approx. €9
20-25 cm	approx. €10
40-50 cm	approx. €9
40-60 cm	approx. €12
55-65 cm	approx. €10
100-120 cm	approx. €13
110-120 cm	approx. €15
size not stated	approx. €7.90 – €23

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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