Blue-leaved Currant Plant Care

Blue-leaved Currant (Searsia glauca) belongs to the Anacardiaceae family within the Searsia genus. Blue-leaved Currant is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. Blue-leaved Currant is also known as Blue-leaved Rhus, Grey Currant.

Blue-leaved Currant displays a bushy shrub, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 6 ft. Blue-leaved Currant produces small clusters of greenish-yellow flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Blue-leaved Currant every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Blue-leaved Currant thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Searsia glauca tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Blue-leaved Currant prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Blue-leaved Currant to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Blue-leaved Currant every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Blue-leaved Currant is suited to USDA Zone 12a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Blue-leaved Currant can spread to about 6 ft (1.8 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 6 ft (1.8 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Blue-leaved Currant while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Blue-leaved Currant is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Blue-leaved Currant can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to dune currant plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Blue-leaved Currant is susceptible to aphids, scale insects, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Blue-leaved Currant grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Blue-leaved Currant is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa. In cooler regions, grow Blue-leaved Currant as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.