Does it need to be in water?

It prefers very wet soil or shallow water but can grow in moist garden soil if kept consistently damp.

Can I grow it in a pot?

Yes, it grows well in a container placed inside a larger water feature.

Plant guide

Marsh marigold.

Caltha palustris

Pronounced KAL-thuh puh-LUS-tris

Also known as Cow's Lips, Giant Kingcup, Kaljužnica, Marsh marigold, Marsh-marigold, Molly-blobs

The marsh marigold is a cheerful perennial that loves wet feet. It brings bright yellow blooms to boggy spots or pond edges in early spring. You will love how it brightens up damp corners of your garden.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 1 to 3 days
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 7
Bloom time: Early to mid spring

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist or even submerged in shallow water. Watch for wilting if the soil dries out completely. Remove spent flowers to keep the plant looking tidy.

Watering: Keep the soil constantly saturated or sitting in shallow water.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back dead foliage and spent blooms after the flowering period ends.
Repotting: Repot when the plant becomes root bound or outgrows its container.
Soil: Heavy, wet, or boggy soil
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Temperature: -35 to 25°C
Humidity: 60 to 100%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 5 to 10 years
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the pot drainage holes
Reduced flowering
Center of the plant dying back

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are toxic when raw and can cause skin irritation or internal distress.
Pets: This plant is considered toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep children away from the plant as ingestion of raw foliage can cause severe mouth and throat irritation.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause skin irritation or blistering in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There is no significant evidence of airborne allergen risk.
Edibility: The plant contains protoanemonin and other irritant compounds. It is not considered safe to eat and should not be eaten, raw or cooked.

How to identify it

Bright yellow buttercup like flowers
Heart shaped glossy green leaves
Sturdy hollow stems
Grows in clumps

Height: 0.2 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.3 to 0.45m
Leaves: dark green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, 2 to 5cm
Fruit: green, brown, Late spring

Problems to watch for

Slugs and SnailsCommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Powdery MildewUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: The plant dies back to the crown in winter. No special protection is needed as it is fully hardy in wet soil.
In containers: Excellent for water gardens, use a solid pot to prevent soil from washing away.

Division

1. Lift the clump in early autumn.
2. Use a sharp spade to divide the root mass.
3. Replant immediately in wet soil.

Seed

1. Collect seeds when pods turn brown.
2. Sow immediately in moist compost.
3. Keep in a cold frame over winter.

Group with other moisture loving plants to maintain a humid microclimate.

Grows well with

Water Forget-me-not · They share similar moisture requirements and bloom times.
Yellow Flag Iris · Both thrive in boggy conditions and provide structural contrast.

Similar species

Lesser Celandine · It has similar yellow flowers but is considered invasive in many areas.

Science

Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Caltha
Order: Ranunculales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Temperate regions of the Northern Hemisphere.
Conservation: It is widespread but protected in some regions due to habitat loss in wetlands.

It survives by colonizing saturated soils and shallow water where other plants struggle to establish.

Value to wildlife: early nectar source, shelter for aquatic insects
Pollinators: bees, beetles, butterflies
Uses: ornamental pond plant, bog garden accent, wildlife habitat

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 9/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need to be in water?: It prefers very wet soil or shallow water but can grow in moist garden soil if kept consistently damp.
Can I grow it in a pot?: Yes, it grows well in a container placed inside a larger water feature.

Where the name comes from

The name Caltha comes from the Greek word for cup, referring to the flower shape, while palustris means of the marsh.

Good to know

It is also known as kingcup.
The flowers lack true petals, using sepals to attract pollinators instead.
It thrives in water up to 15 centimeters deep.
The plant often goes dormant in summer if the soil dries out.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.