Whitestem Gooseberry
Ribes inerme
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Pl. 2243 — Ribes inerme
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IOverview
Overview
Whitestem Gooseberry (Ribes inerme) is a shrub native to the western United States and southern Canada, found from Alberta and British Columbia southward through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, California, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico. Known for its edible fruit, this plant thrives in light to partial shade with moist soil that can be sandy, medium, or clay-based. It prefers a pH range of 6 to 7.5 and grows up to 2 meters tall. Native Americans have long used the fruit as a food source, making it an important part of their diet. Its distinctive feature is its light green stems, which give it its common name.
Quick answers
What is Whitestem Gooseberry?
Whitestem Gooseberry (Ribes inerme) is a shrub native to the western United States and southern Canada, found from Alberta and British Columbia southward through Washington, Oregon, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Nevada, California, Arizona, Colorado, and New Mexico.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Whitestem Gooseberry thrives in full to partial sun and prefers moist, well-draining soil that is light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay). It grows best with a pH between 6 and 7.5 and can be found hardy in zones 5-9. This shrub reaches up to 2 meters in height and produces edible fruit. Propagate by seed or softwood cuttings.
Light
Full sun, Partial sun/shade
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
5-9
Habit
Shrub
Mature size
2.0 m tall
Soil pH
6–7.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Whitestem Gooseberry for the first time
7steps
Start with a simple, low-maintenance shrub that thrives in various conditions.
- 1
What you'll need
Whitestem Gooseberry plant or seeds, garden gloves, trowel.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant in spring after the last frost or fall before the first freeze.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Ensure soil is well-draining with a pH between 6 and 7.5; loosen the topsoil if planting in containers.
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Transplant young plants or sow seeds directly into the garden, spacing them about 1-2 meters apart.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep soil moist; avoid overwatering which can lead to root rot.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide full sun to partial shade and water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Prune in late winter or early spring.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune annually to maintain shape and encourage fruiting; harvest fruits after they turn a deep red color.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:Fruit
Edible uses: The whitestem gooseberry's fruit is edible and can be eaten raw or used in various preparations. Typically, the fruit is consumed fresh but may also be dried for later use. SKIP
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
13 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
13 native · 0 introducedDistribution across0 continents· 13 native
Broader regions
native:Alberta, Arizona, British Columbia, California, Colorado, Idaho, Montana, Nevada, New Mexico, Oregon, Utah, Washington, Wyoming
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXI
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Companion planting
Growing zone
XII
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Back to the cataloguePlant id · 2243f4c0-8c51-4cb7-a4da-43b5208b5a50
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