Tall buttercup (Ranunculus elatior)
Care, watering, light and tips for Tall buttercup on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Ranunculaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Tall buttercup
Ranunculus elatior, commonly known as lundsmörblomma, is a charming perennial plant belonging to the Ranunculaceae family. It features brilliant, cup-shaped yellow flowers that emerge on slender stems, creating a cheerful and wild effect. This plant is ideal for naturalistic gardens, woodland edges, or moist meadows, adding a vibrant splash of color in spring and early summer.
Native range
Central and Southern Europe, extending to Western Asia
Care tips
It thrives in partial shade to light shade, especially in warmer climates, to protect its flowers from intense direct sun. It requires consistently moist but well-drained soil, rich in organic matter; regular watering is crucial, preventing the substrate from drying out completely. A substrate with good compost or peat will help maintain moisture. A common mistake is planting it in dry soils or full sun, which can stress the plant and cause flowers to wilt quickly.
How to save a dying Tall buttercup
- Warning signs
- Yellow or wilting leaves, soft stems, poor or no flowering, rot at the base.
- First aid
- Remove dead flowers/leaves, check roots (cut if soft). Repot in fresh, well-draining soil.
- What kills it
- Overwatering that rots bulbs, or poor drainage. Also intense heat and too much direct sun.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly. Ranunculus are hardy, but the bulb is sensitive to excessive moisture.