Plant guide

Lesser celandine.

Ficaria verna

Pronounced fih-KAIR-ee-uh VER-nuh

Also known as FICVER, Fig Buttercup, Lesser Celandine, Pilewort

Lesser celandine is a charming, early spring bloomer that carpets the forest floor with bright yellow flowers. It is a low growing perennial that goes dormant once the weather warms up. You will love how it brings a splash of color to your garden when everything else is still waking up.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Partial shade to full sun
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 6 inches tall
Growth rate: Fast

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist during its active growing season in early spring. Watch for yellowing leaves as the plant naturally enters dormancy when temperatures rise. It spreads quickly, so keep an eye on it if you want to contain its growth.

Watering: Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during the active growing phase.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once during the early spring growth spurt.
Pruning: Remove dead foliage after the plant goes dormant in late spring.
Repotting: Divide the tubers every few years if the colony becomes too crowded.
Soil: Moist, fertile, well drained soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5

Safety

Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.

How to identify it

Heart shaped glossy green leaves
Bright yellow star shaped flowers
Forms dense mats on ground
Fleshy tuberous roots

Science

Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Ficaria
Order: Ranunculales
Class: Magnoliopsida

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Is your lesser celandine looking unwell?

This page is a general guide. Pocket Botanist diagnoses problems from a photo of your actual plant, works out watering for your light and conditions, and reminds you when care is due.

Get the app

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