Ranunculus Growing Guide

Ranunculus asiaticus

Ranunculus

Crop Rotation Group

Miscellaneous ●

Soil

Fertile, well-drained soil enriched with compost, with a slightly acidic pH.

Position

Full sun.

Frost tolerant

Frost tolerant once established. Dormant Persian ranunculus roots can tolerate temperatures to -5°C (23°F).

Feeding

Drench with a liquid organic fertiliser when plants begin to bloom in early summer.

Spacing

Single Plants: 15cm (5") each way (minimum)
Rows: 15cm (5") with 15cm (5") row gap (minimum)

Sow and Plant

Ranunculus are grown from dormant claw-shaped corms, which can be planted in autumn. Soak corms in water for 2 to 3 hours they can then be planted in containers or directly where you want them to grow. Transplant to containers or beds when the first green shoots appear. Young plants need water when they are actively growing, but avoid keeping the plants too wet.
Our Garden Planner can produce a personalised calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.

Notes

These corms grow best where both summers and winters are mild, or they can be grown as winter annuals in hot summer areas. A single plant can produce more than 20 blossoms. To overwinter ranunculus in cold winter areas, bring containers into a cool garage or greenhouse and allow them to dry out. Let the dormant corms rest in the soil-filled pots until spring. Survival may be spotty.

Harvesting

Ranunculus are beautiful cut flowers, often grown specifically for use indoors. Keeping blossoms cut also extends the bloom time of the plants, which can be as long as six weeks.

Troubleshooting

Ranunculus grown as perennials often develop powdery mildew late in the season. Badly affected plantings should be replaced. Like wild Ranunculus species, called buttercups, Ranunculus contain compounds that make them unpalatable to animals.

Planting and Harvesting Calendar

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Pests which Affect Ranunculus