The irresistible Ranunculus asiaticus a.k.a. Persian buttercup is as low-demanding as it is beautiful, bringing lots of joy while growing and caring for it. Ranunculus asiaticus, commonly referred to as Persian buttercup, is a species of flowering plant in the Ranunculaceae family. The plant is native to various regions of southwestern Asia, northeastern Africa, and southeastern Europe. In some jurisdictions, such as Israel, is a protected species.
Persian buttercups belong to the Ranunculus family of plants, which is very extensive, consisting of more than 2000 species. Other popular members of the Ranunculus family include Helleborus, delphinium, clematis, anemone, and columbine. If you want to turn your outdoor area into a Mediterranean garden, Ranunculus flowers will always make perfect additions. Often admired by tourists that visit the beautiful Greek islands of Rhodes, Crete, and Karpathos, the Persian buttercup will fill your garden with joy and vibrant colours.
Quick Facts
Fact Category | Information |
---|---|
Common Name | Persian Buttercup |
Scientific Name | Ranunculus asiaticus |
Family | Ranunculaceae |
Native Regions | Southwestern Asia, Northeastern Africa, Southeastern Europe |
Popular Cultivars | ‘Bloomingdale’, ‘Café’, ‘Cloni Success Hanoi’, ‘Delano’ series, ‘Elegance’ series, ‘Flamenco’, ‘Merlot’, ‘Tecolote’ series, ‘Tomer’ series |
Flowering Period | Spring through summer |
Ideal Growing Conditions | Lots of sunlight, wide range of temperatures, well-draining soils, moderate water needs |
Propagation Methods | Division or seeds |
Common Issues | Non-flowering due to inadequate water, over-fertilization or improper mulching; pest infestations (e.g., spider mites, aphids, leaf miners); fungal diseases (e.g., rust, powdery mildew, tomato spotted wilt virus, necrotic spot) |
Toxicity | Toxic to pets and humans if touched or ingested in large quantities |
Traditional Uses | Treatment for skin problems, nerve pain, arthritis, inflammation, bronchitis (although not scientifically proven) |
Plant Features | Three to six-inch blooms with multiple layers of thin, delicate petals; grows from tubers reaching 1 to 2 feet in height and width; petals can have a highly shiny appearance |
Preferred Companion Plants | African Daisy, Iceland Poppies, Linaria, primroses, pansies, Evergreen Candytuft, Snapdragon, Sweet Pea, Calendula, and Forget-Me-Not |
USDA Hardiness Zones | 8 to 10 |
About Persian Buttercup
- This plant belongs to the large Ranunculus genus which contains about 600 species of flowering plants. The name “Ranunculus” is the Late Latin word for “little frog”, referring to the fact that these flowers will often be found growing near water, like frogs. This makes Ranunculus plants perfect for bog gardens. You can also grow Persian buttercups near ponds, lakes, streams, and wetlands.
- The plants from the Ranunculus genus, including Persian buttercups, are a great food source for the larvae of some moth species, such as Hebrew characters (Orthosia gothica) and small-angle shades (Euplexia lucipara).
- The Persian buttercup family comes along with many cultivars to choose from. Some of our favourites include ‘Bloomingdale’, ‘Café’, ‘Cloni Success Hanoi’, ‘Delano’ series, ‘Elegance’ series, ‘Flamenco’, ‘Merlot’, ‘Tecolote’ series, and ‘Tomer’ series. These are just a few examples, but there are a lot of different cultivars that are just as attractive.
- The most popular ornamental Persian buttercups are the double-flowered varieties which are actually hybrids. They are excellent for cutting gardens, Mediterranean gardens, cottage gardens, butterfly gardens, wildflower meadows, and any other type of flower gardens, beds, or borders, but also vases, and containers.
- You can plant your Persian buttercup near other ornamental flowering plants, grasses, and shrubs that have similar growth requirements. The best companions for Persian buttercups include African Daisy, Iceland Poppies, Linaria, primroses, pansies, Evergreen Candytuft, Snapdragon, Sweet Pea, Calendula, and Forget-Me-Not.
- Persian buttercup can thrive easily in lots of sunlight, a wide range of temperatures, and well-draining soils. These flowering ornamentals thrive in humid environments, but when planted in regular soil, they have moderate water needs.
- You can also keep your Persian buttercups alive for longer by propagating them through division or seeds.
- Buttercup flowers are long-lasting as cut flowers so they can be used to create beautiful floral arrangements and bouquets. In fact, they are enjoying some popularity as bridal flowers and wedding centrepieces.
- Like all bulb plants, the Persian buttercup is toxic to pets and humans if touched or ingested in large quantities. For safety purposes, keep it in a spot where your beloved ones cannot reach it.
- Despite these concerns, Persian buttercups have played a big part in traditional medicine. People have used it to treat skin problems, nerve pain, arthritis, inflammation, and bronchitis. However, there is no good scientific evidence to support this, so you should only use it for ornamental purposes.
- Native Americans used dried petals of ranunculus to treat sore joints and other types of pain. They referred to these plants as ‘coyote eyes’ because, according to legend, a coyote was entertaining itself in an unusual way, by throwing his eyes into the air and catching them. An eagle noticed what the coyote was doing, so naturally, it swooped down and caught the eyes. Being left without his eyes, the coyote replaced them with two buttercup flowers.
Persian Buttercup Features: An Overview
- Persian buttercups are among the most popular sping-blooming bulbs (tubers). They are brightly-coloured herbaceous perennial plants.
- The most important and attractive feature of Persian buttercups is, of course, their three to six-inch blooms, which have multiple layers of thin, delicate petals.
- The Persian buttercup petals resemble bright layers of tissue paper and making them look like small-version peony blooms.
- As mentioned above, Persian buttercups grow from tubers and, depending on the cultivar, these low-maintenance plants can reach 1 to 2 feet (30-60 cm) in both height and width.
- The foliage of Persian buttercups consists of basal, three-lobed, downy or hairy, and green leaves that appear on simple or branched stems. The leaves that grow higher on the stems are typically more deeply divided.
- Persian buttercup blooms from spring through summer. Their vividly coloured flowers measure between 1.2 to 2 inches (3-5 cm) in diameter and each stem can feature one or several flowers, depending on the cultivar.
- Their blossoms can come in different shades of white, yellow, pink, red, or purple. Some varieties have flowers with pleasant colour mixes.
- The petals of the Persian buttercup can be highly shiny, especially in yellow specimens. The smoothness of the petal’s upper surface might cause a lovely mirror-like reflection.
Growing Persian Buttercup
If you decide to add Persian buttercups to your collection, you will see that it is a delight to have them around. Although these blooming ornamentals have a dew mandatory demands for their healthy and happy growth, it is not as difficult to take care of them as you might think. But enough talking! Let’s get you more familiar with growing and caring for Persian buttercups!
When it comes to lighting conditions, the Persian buttercup will have the time of its life when it is planted in a location where it can get as much full sunlight as it can. In other words, plant this beauty in a spot that allows it to get at least six hours of bright and direct light on most days. This particular type of light exposure will help your plant grow and bloom at its best.
Temperature-wise, Ranunculus asiaticus is a hardy species only in the USDA zones 8 to 10. This plant thrives in cool spring weather and will naturally go dormant once summer temperatures go higher than 90 °F (32 °C).
Overwintering your Persian buttercup is on the priority list. If you live in a warm region and want to grow your Persian buttercups as perennials, all you have to do is leave them in place and allow their foliage to die back on its own at the end of summer. After this, you have to cut the remains back to the ground before the first sign of winter and also protect your plants with a layer of mulch.
Outside of the plant’s hardiness regions, you can grow them as annuals, or you can dig up the bulbs and place them in a cool room for winter, covered in peat moss. However, this method does not always work as we would want to. Because of this, in areas where winters are harsher, it is better to grow your Persian buttercup in pots and bring them inside during the winter.
- Ranunculus These beautiful plants produce magnificent Rose-like flowers that are
- Gorgeous both in the garden and as in pots. Ranunculus is great value for mass Planting Bulbs,
- Ranunculus Produced profuse amounts of flowers from every single corm
- Perennial multiply easy, you can enjoy them for many years to come.
- Note: The sale is for seeds not bulbs
- Vibrant Rainbow Blooms: Enjoy a breathtaking display of pink, yellow, and white ranunculus flowers, creating a stunning rainbow of colors in your garden or floral arrangements.
- Easy to Plant : These resilient bulbs are easy to plant and care for, producing long-lasting blooms that will grace your garden for weeks on end.
- Mixed Peony Ranunculus Bulbs-: These premium-sized corms promise bigger, healthier plants with more abundant blooms for a truly spectacular floral showcase.
- Peony-Like Elegance: These exquisite ranunculus, also known as Persian buttercups, boast delicate, multi-layered petals that resemble lush peonies, adding a touch of elegance and charm to any setting.
- Versatile Beauty: Perfect for both garden beds and containers, these ranunculus bulbs bring a burst of color to borders, flower beds, patios, balconies, and indoor spaces.
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Planting Persian Buttercup
In warmer areas, you can plant your newly-bought Persian buttercup directly outdoors in autumn. Yet, if you live in a colder climate, it would be wise to wait for the spring to bring some warmth before planting the bulbs. You can also start the bulbs in an indoor setting in containers about twelve weeks before the last frost date. In case you plant them in a pot, space the bulbs 3-4 inches (7.5-10 cm) apart from one another.
In terms of soil, the Persian buttercup prefers to grow in sandy or loamy substrates that come along with very sharp drainage. Moreover, you will have to choose a growing medium with a slightly acidic soil pH. If your garden soil is too heavy, you can amend it with peat moss or simply plant your companion in a raised garden bed. When it comes to indoor specimens, it’s important to plant them in pots that have drainage holes at the bottom.
Right before you plant the Ranunculus asiaticus bulbs, make sure you mix some bulb fertilizer or compost into their future growing mediums. Once the foliage shows up on your plants, you will have to fertilize them once every two weeks following the product label instructions. The best product for these buddies is a water-soluble fertilizer.
Regardless of the setting in which setting you are growing your Persian buttercup, whether it is indoors or outdoors, deadheading is mandatory in its caring routine. Keep in mind that you must deadhead the flowers once they fade to have a tidier plant and more bloomings overall. If you keep your Persian buttercup indoors, however, you will have to also trim its foliage to maintain a certain size and shape.
Watering Persian Buttercup
In general, bulb-growing plants must be soaked in water for a few hours before planting them to stimulate growth. When it comes to Persian buttercup, this is not a mandatory practice. But if you decide to soak the tubers, make sure you do not overdo it. It is more than enough to soak them for about one to four hours, as this will prevent mould from developing.
When you plant your Persian buttercups, we suggest you water the tubers well. After this, you should refrain from watering again until you notice the first signs of growth. This method will help you avoid issues like root rot. Once the plants have settled in their new environment, you can spoil them with drinks whenever their soil begins to dry out.
Persian buttercups are not as picky regarding humidity, and they usually thrive in humid environments. Still, very high humidity levels may cause root rot, which is a serious issue that will kill the plant with time. For optimal growth, provide your Persian buttercup with medium levels of humidity.
Propagating Persian Buttercup
With their spectacular flowers and easy-going nature, it is perfectly natural to want more Persian buttercups in your garden. Luckily, you can easily make more specimens through various propagation methods. The most popular and efficient ones are via division and seed. Let’s see what this is all about!
If you choose to propagate your Persian buttercups via division, your chances of success are really high. The first thing to remember is that this process is usually carried out in autumn, so you might have to wait for a few months before you can dig up the bulbs from their growing medium. You will see that, in general, many of these bulbs should have already created tiny seed bulbs or offsets.
In warm areas, once you dig them out, you can divide the bulbs using a sharp knife and plant each offset in its new location right away. This is not a problem, as winters are not as harsh as in other climates. It would be wise to plant them about two inches (5 cm) deep with the roots or ‘fingers’ pointed downward. Once this step is done, you will have to water the divided parts well and keep their substrates constantly moist by watering them once every couple of days. New shoots should emerge in a few weeks after planting.
In cooler areas, however, you will need to store the bulbs until spring to propagate your Persian buttercups. In autumn, before the first sign of frost, dig your plants out, clean off any excess dirt, and then store them in a cool, well-ventilated place. Place the bulbs in a box filled with peat moss or coir and keep the box away from direct sunlight exposure. Once the spring shows up, divide each bulb into as many sections as you can, then soak them in water for one hour. After this, you can plant them outdoors in the ground.
In case you wish to start your own Persian buttercups from seed, wait until the blossoms begin to fade, then cut them off. Allow the flowers to dry out for a week or so in a paper bag and shake the bag to knock the seeds loose. Next, you can start the seeds indoors a few weeks before the last frost day in your region. Sow the seeds on top of moist soil and place the container in a warm, indirect-lit spot. Germination will occur in two weeks or so, but you can transplant the seedlings to their permanent location only when they have four sets of true leaves.
Persian Buttercups Common Problems
Persian buttercups are plants that can bloom profusely, and they normally do so. If your Persian buttercups do not seem to produce enough or any flowers at all, there might be a problem related to their environment. First things first, Persian buttercups should receive about one inch (2.5 cm) of water weekly. Secondly, avoid over-fertilizing your plants since high nitrogen levels can promote leaf growth and no blossoms. Lastly, mulch your Persian buttercup with bark, straw, or cocoa hulls to maintain proper moisture levels after watering it.
Ranunculus asiaticus a.k.a Persian buttercup is a bit sensitive in terms of pest infestations. Intruders like spider mites, aphids, and leaf miners will sometimes be tempted to munch on its leaves. The most common signs of infestation include yellowish-brown, withered, and splotchy foliage. If you want to get rid of leaf miners or spider mites, you must use an organic pesticide. You can wash the aphids away by spraying your plant with a mixture of water and dish soap. You might have to repeat the process a few times to ensure that all the aphids are removed.
Likewise, Persian buttercup plants can encounter some issues with fungal diseases like rust, powdery mildew, tomato spotted wilt virus, or necrotic spot. When your plant is affected by one or more of these diseases, its leaves will curl and turn yellow. The best defence against these problems is none other than prevention – make sure you provide the plants with excellent air circulation and water only the bulb, without the plant itself. Another important thing to remember is that a common cause for many different problems is getting the foliage and the flowers wet. By keeping the plant dry and watering it at the base, you reduce the chances of a pest infestation or a fungal infection.
In Conclusion
Ranunculus asiaticus a.k.a Persian buttercups are perfect additions to any type of garden. If you live in a warm climate, you can grow these pretty flowers outdoors as annuals or perennials. If you live in a colder climate, you can still grow them, but you need to keep them in containers that you can bring inside to protect them from the cold.
These gorgeous flowering plants are a must-have in every collection that requires a dash of colour this summer. What makes these flowers perfect for any garden is their overall easy-going habit. You don’t have to be an experienced gardener to enjoy their beautiful blooms, as these flowers will only require water and light.
If you do not have a Persian buttercup in your garden or home, this is a sign for you to get into action. If you already own one or more, share your experience with us in the comments!
Persian Buttercup FAQS
Are Persian buttercups bulbs?
Yes, Persian buttercups (Ranunculus asiaticus) grow from tuberous roots, which are often mistaken for bulbs due to their similar planting and care requirements. However, they are technically not true bulbs.
How often do you water a Persian buttercup?
Persian buttercups should be watered thoroughly whenever the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering as this can lead to root rot. In warmer or dryer conditions, they may need to be watered more frequently.
Are Persian buttercups easy to grow?
Growing Persian buttercups can be somewhat challenging for beginners as they require specific conditions for successful growth. They prefer full sun to partial shade, well-draining soil, and consistent watering. However, once these conditions are met, they can flourish and produce beautiful blooms.
What is special about a buttercup?
Buttercups are known for their bright, glossy yellow petals, which reflect light in a way that makes them appear almost luminescent. This is due to a layer of air beneath the surface of the petals that acts as a mirror, bouncing light back through the petal. Persian buttercups, in particular, come in a variety of vibrant colors and have a peony-like appearance that makes them popular in bouquets and gardens.
Where do buttercups grow best?
Buttercups are versatile and can be found growing in a variety of environments worldwide. However, they typically thrive in full sun or partial shade and prefer moist, well-draining soils. They are not overly picky about soil type and can grow in loam, sand, or clay soils.
How long do buttercups live?
Buttercups are perennials, meaning they can live for more than two years. With proper care and optimal growing conditions, buttercups can return year after year, providing bright and cheerful blooms each season. However, the exact lifespan can vary depending on the specific variety of buttercup and the conditions in which it is grown.