Meadow buttercup
Ranunculus acris · Ranunculaceae
The gardener's calendar
Ideal time to plant meadow buttercup: set it out when the soil is neither frozen nor waterlogged, and water generously as it establishes.
ID card
- Foliage
- Deciduous
- Flowering
- May to July
- Adult size
- 60 to 100 cm in height
- Growth
- Fast
- Hardiness
- Very hardy (down to -20°C)
- Origin
- Temperate Europe and Asia
- Soil type
- Moist to fresh, well-drained
- Exposure
- Sun to partial shade
Care
Watering
Meadow buttercup appreciates consistently moist but not waterlogged soil. Water regularly during the growing season, particularly in summer and during prolonged dry spells. Once established, it tolerates water variations well thanks to its robust root system.
Exposure
Place this plant in sun or partial shade for optimal flowering. It accepts shaded areas but will produce fewer flowers. A location with at least 4 to 6 hours of direct sunlight ensures better vigor.
Pruning and cutting
Remove spent flowers regularly to extend blooming. In late autumn or early winter, cut back dried stems to ground level. This operation promotes vigorous new growth in spring.
Fertilizer
Meadow buttercup is undemanding in nutrients. An annual application of well-decomposed compost in spring is sufficient. Avoid overly rich fertilizers that would promote excessive foliage at the expense of flowering.
Soil
Prefer fertile, moist, well-drained soil. This plant thrives in slightly acidic to neutral soils. Improving the soil with compost or potting soil helps maintain moisture and structure.
Diseases and pests
Meadow buttercup is generally robust and rarely subject to diseases. Watch for aphids during warm periods and remove them as needed. Excess standing moisture can occasionally promote root rot.
Did you know?
Meadow buttercup owes its name "acrid" to the irritating property of its tissues: the fresh sap of this plant contains compounds that irritate skin and mucous membranes. Long ago, children would test themselves by placing a flower under the chin to see if the skin turned yellow—a harmless folk practice that reflects this very real botanical characteristic.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Stinking helleboreHelleborus foetidus
- Meadow rueThalictrum aquilegiifolium
- Christmas roseHelleborus niger
- Grecian windflowerAnemone blanda
- Lenten roseHelleborus orientalis
- Hubei AnemoneEriocapitella hupehensis
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.