Yes, it is highly invasive in many regions and can outcompete native woodland flora.

When does it disappear?

The foliage typically dies back completely by late spring or early summer.

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.

Another photo of Lesser celandine — Photo by Gianni Del Bufalo bygdb (CC BY) via iNaturalist

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
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 9
Bloom time: Early to mid spring

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
Temperature: -20 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%

Safety

People: All parts of the plant are toxic if eaten and can cause skin irritation upon contact.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep children away from this plant as ingestion of any part can lead to mouth and digestive tract irritation.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause blistering or dermatitis on sensitive skin.
Airborne allergens: Pollen is generally not considered a significant allergen.
Edibility: This plant contains protoanemonin which causes severe irritation and is toxic if ingested.

How to identify it

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

Height: 0.05 to 0.2m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.3m
Leaves: dark green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, 2 to 4cm

Problems to watch for

RustCommon
Slugs and SnailsCommon
Gray MoldUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: autumn, spring

Plant with other spring ephemerals that will emerge as this plant goes dormant.

Grows well with

Snowdrop · They share similar early spring growth habits.
Wood Anemone · Both are classic woodland ephemerals.

Similar species

Marsh Marigold · Shares similar yellow flowers but prefers wetter soil.

Science

Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Ficaria
Order: Ranunculales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and western Asia
Conservation: It is considered an invasive species in many parts of North America and should not be planted in wild areas.

It thrives in damp, shaded woodland environments where it completes its life cycle before the tree canopy fully closes.

Value to wildlife: early nectar source
Pollinators: bees, beetles
Uses: ground cover, woodland garden

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 4/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it invasive?: Yes, it is highly invasive in many regions and can outcompete native woodland flora.
When does it disappear?: The foliage typically dies back completely by late spring or early summer.

Where the name comes from

The name Ficaria comes from the Latin word for fig, referring to the shape of the root tubers. Verna means of the spring.

Good to know

It is also known as lesser celandine.
The plant goes dormant by early summer.
It produces small bulbils that help it spread aggressively.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your lesser celandine growing

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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.