2 named cultivars

perennial

Lesser Celandine

The Story

Plant Bio

Ranunculus ficaria, lesser celandine and now often listed as Ficaria verna, is a low creeping perennial from Europe and the Caucasus. Glossy dark green heart-shaped leaves form a dense mat a few inches high in late winter, and glossy yellow saucer-shaped flowers open in early spring before the plant dies back completely by early summer.

This is a seriously invasive plant across much of North America, forming solid mats that smother native spring wildflowers before they emerge. It spreads by underground tubers and by tiny bulbils in the leaf axils, so hoeing and pulling both multiply it. If you want the same early yellow, plant native marsh marigold or celandine poppy instead.

Uses & Benefits:

Glossy yellow flowers over dark heart-shaped leaves at the very start of spring, then a complete disappearance.

Very little. It occupies ground for only a few months and leaves bare soil behind.

Negative in North America: it forms mats that displace native spring ephemerals before they can emerge.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

6 inches

Width

12 inches

Light

Partial Sun, Shade

Zones

4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Water

Moderate

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Perennial

Native To

Europe to the Caucasus

Toxicity

Toxic raw; sap blisters skin

Planting

How to Grow

Check your state noxious weed list before planting.
Prefer a native alternative in almost all cases.
Confine any planting to a sealed container.
Never dig or hoe it, which spreads the bulbils.
Dispose of all material in the bin, not the compost.
Wear gloves; the sap blisters skin.

Pro Tip

Digging is how it spreads — every broken tuber and axil bulbil becomes a new plant, so a hoed patch comes back larger.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Choose a native alternative instead 🌱
Wear gloves if handling it 🧤
Bag and bin all plant material 🗑️
Check local noxious weed listings ⚠️

Don't

Plant it in open ground ❌
Hoe or dig it — that spreads it ❌
Compost any part of it ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Control
Identify

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Not recommended for open groundSealed containers only, where grown at allHistoric and botanical collections

Companion Plants

Marsh Marigold Celandine Poppy Virginia Bluebells Wild Ginger Foamflower

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Lesser Celandine questions

What zones can Lesser Celandine grow in?

Lesser Celandine is hardy in USDA Zones 4–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Lesser Celandine deer resistant?

Yes — Lesser Celandine is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Lesser Celandine bloom?

Lesser Celandine typically blooms in early spring through mid-spring. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Lesser Celandine need full sun?

Lesser Celandine does best in part shade.