Persian buttercup care guide
Ranunculus asiaticus
Also known as: Garden ranunculus
Pets and children
Considered toxic
A buttercup with an irritant sap: chewing causes mouth soreness, drooling, vomiting and diarrhea in dogs and cats; keep it out of reach and consult a veterinarian (or a doctor, for a child) if eaten.
How often to water Persian buttercup
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 5 days
- In bloom, water well once the topsoil dries, as a guide; when the leaves yellow after flowering, stop watering and lift the tubers to dry.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 5 days
- After planting, water about when the soil dries to keep it lightly moist; soggy soil rots the tubers.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 7 days
- While in leaf, water on a mild morning once the topsoil dries, as a guide; evening watering invites freezing.
Light and placement for Persian buttercup
A sunny spot outdoors, as a guide; in poor light the stems stretch and flop with fewer flowers, and keeping the blooms out of rain makes them last.
Overwintering Persian buttercup
Overwintering guide: −3°C (27°F) or above
Overwinter in a sunny spot under the eaves out of frost and wind, as a guide; cover with fleece or bring it in on hard-frost nights, but a warm room makes it leggy.
Fertilizing and repotting Persian buttercup
Fertilizer
Mix slow-release fertilizer in at planting, then liquid feed about every two weeks from sprouting to bloom; feed lightly after flowering until the leaves die.
When to repot
Autumn (Oct–Nov)
Common problems with Persian buttercup
- Dry tubers planted straight into damp soil swell too fast and split or rot.
- Frost damages the buds and leaves.
- Left in the ground into the rainy season, the tubers rot.
Tips for growing Persian buttercup
- Before planting, bury the tubers in damp vermiculite for two or three days to rehydrate slowly, which cuts losses.
- Plant with the claw-like points down, about 2–3 cm deep.
- Lift once the leaves yellow, dry in shade and store somewhere cool until fall.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
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