Lesser spearwort (Ranunculus flammula)
Care, watering, light and tips for Lesser spearwort on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Difficulty: Demanding
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Lesser spearwort
Ranunculus flammula, commonly known as Lesser Spearwort or Grøftesoleie in Norway, is a semi-aquatic perennial herbaceous plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. It is characterized by its creeping or ascending stems, lanceolate leaves, and solitary bright yellow flowers with five petals. It is ideal for pond margins, wet garden areas, or in pots with good drainage that mimic its natural habitat, adding a wild and luminous touch.
Native range
Europe, Northwest Africa, and West Asia
Care tips
It requires full sun to partial shade exposure and a constantly moist, even waterlogged, substrate, similar to its natural habitat in ditches and banks. It prefers soils rich in organic matter and slightly acidic. It is crucial to ensure abundant and regular watering, especially in dry climates, as it does not tolerate dryness. A common mistake is planting it in dry soils or with low humidity, which leads to its rapid decline.
How to save a dying Lesser spearwort
- Warning signs
- Soft, yellowed or blackened leaves, limp stems, no flowering. May indicate rot or dehydration.
- First aid
- Check water level and quality. If stagnant, change it. Gently remove damaged parts.
- What kills it
- Stagnant, deoxygenated water, or water pollution. Also prolonged drought if terrestrial.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly. It needs fresh, clean water, or constant moisture if in wet soil.