Also known as Buttercup · 141 gardener saves
Ranunculus: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Ranunculus, the genus most gardeners know as buttercup. We track 16 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Ranunculus varieties
Of 16 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedGreater Spearwort
Ranunculus maius
#2 most savedButtercup
Ranunculus ranunculus
#3 most saved'Buttered Popcorn' Creeping Buttercup
Ranunculus repens 'Buttered Popcorn'
'Brazen Hussy' Lesser Celandine
Ranunculus ficaria 'Brazen Hussy'
Persian Buttercup 'Amandine Pastel Pink'
Ranunculus asiaticus 'Amandine Pastel Pink'
Persian Buttercup
Ranunculus asiaticus
California Buttercup
Ranunculus californicus
Bulbous Buttercup
Ranunculus bulbosus 'Mix'
Cafe Buttercup
Ranunculus asiaticus 'Tecolote Cafe'
Orange You Cute Lesser Celandine
Ranunculus ficaria 'Orange You Cute'
Common Water Crowfoot
Ranunculus aquatilis 'White Picotee'
Asian Buttercup
Ranunculus asiaticus 'LaBelle Champagne'
Browse all 16 Ranunculus varieties →
How to grow Ranunculus
What the Ranunculus varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 16 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Ranunculus year
- PlantSeptember and October94% of varieties
Plant or transplant rhizomes in spring or early fall.
- FertilizeMarch–May56% of varieties
Use aquatic fertilizer tabs if grown in containers or poor soil.
- Lift & StoreJune50% of varieties
Lift tubers when foliage yellows; cure and store in a cool, dry place for winter.
- DivideMay38% of varieties
Divide every 2-3 years to control aggressive spread and maintain vigor.
- HarvestApril–June31% of varieties
Cut stems when buds show color but are not fully open for best vase life.
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Mulch to conserve moisture and regulate soil temperature
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Mulch to conserve moisture and control weeds
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid planting in poorly drained soil
- Allow soil to dry out completely ❌
- Refrain from fertilizing late in the season
What goes wrong with Ranunculus
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Slugs | Irregular holes in foliage | Apply organic slug bait or handpick |
| Snails | Chewed leaves and slime trails | Use snail bait or handpick regularly |
| Snails and slugs | Chewed leaves and flowers | Use organic slug bait or handpick pests |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Ensure well-drained soil and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
Making more Ranunculus
Division
- Divide tubers in early spring or fall.
- Replant immediately at same depth.
- Water thoroughly after planting.
Seed
- Sow seeds on surface of moist soil in early spring.
- Cover lightly with soil and keep moist for germination (2-3 weeks).
Ranunculus questions
How many types of Ranunculus are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 16 distinct Ranunculus varieties. The most popular — ranked by 141 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Ranunculus grow in?
Across its varieties, Ranunculus covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Ranunculus bloom?
Most Ranunculus varieties bloom in summer, early spring, mid-spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Ranunculus should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Ranunculus shows up in
By hardiness zone
Design with Ranunculus in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
