No, it is toxic to both cats and dogs if ingested.

Does it spread easily?

Yes, it can self seed quite aggressively in favorable conditions.

Plant guide

Meadow buttercup.

Ranunculus acris

Pronounced ra-NUN-kyoo-lus A-kris

Also known as Meadow Buttercup

Ranunculus acris — Photo by Jose Gutierrez Higa (CC BY) via gbif

The meadow buttercup is a charming perennial that brings a splash of yellow to fields and gardens. It thrives in moist, grassy areas and is quite hardy. You will love how it brightens up your landscape in late spring.

Another photo of Meadow buttercup — Photo by Daniel Cahen (CC BY) via iNaturalist

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Direct sun
Water: Every 3 to 7 days
Mature size: 3 feet
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 3 to 8
Bloom time: Late spring to mid summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to mimic its natural meadow habitat. Watch for wilting during dry spells, which signals a need for more water. Remove spent blooms to encourage a second flush of flowers.

Watering: Keep the soil evenly moist but never waterlogged.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Trim back dead foliage and spent flowers to keep the plant tidy.
Repotting: Repot if the plant becomes root bound in its container.
Soil: Moist, well draining soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -30 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes.
Plant becomes root bound.

Safety

People: All parts of the plant contain protoanemonin, which is highly irritating to the skin and digestive tract.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested.
Children: Keep this plant away from children because the sap is caustic and the plant is poisonous if eaten.
Contact allergens: The sap is a known skin irritant that can cause redness and blistering.
Airborne allergens: Pollen may cause mild irritation in sensitive individuals during peak bloom.
Edibility: This plant is toxic if ingested and should never be consumed.

How to identify it

Glossy yellow five petaled flowers
Deeply divided palmate leaves
Hairy stems and foliage
Upright branching growth habit

Height: 0.3 to 0.9m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.4m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, 1.5 to 2.5cm

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Powdery MildewCommon
RustUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: spring, autumn
Overwintering: The foliage dies back naturally in winter. No special protection is needed as it is quite cold hardy.
In containers: It is not typically grown in containers as it prefers the stability of open ground.

Seed

1. Collect seeds when they turn brown.
2. Sow in trays in autumn.
3. Keep moist until germination in spring.

Division

1. Dig up the clump in early spring.
2. Gently pull the root ball apart.
3. Replant sections immediately.

Plant in drifts with native grasses to mimic a natural meadow ecosystem.

Grows well with

Meadow Foxtail · They share similar moisture requirements in meadow settings.
Oxeye Daisy · They create a classic meadow aesthetic when planted together.

Similar species

Creeping Buttercup · It has a similar appearance but spreads via runners rather than just seed.

Science

Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Ranunculus
Order: Ranunculales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and temperate Asia.
Conservation: It is a common and widespread species not currently under threat.

It thrives in moist meadows and pastures where it can outcompete other grasses in nutrient rich soils.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, beetles
Uses: wildflower meadows, cottage gardens, naturalizing

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it safe for pets?: No, it is toxic to both cats and dogs if ingested.
Does it spread easily?: Yes, it can self seed quite aggressively in favorable conditions.

Where the name comes from

The name Ranunculus comes from the Latin for little frog, referring to the damp habitats many species prefer. Acris means sharp or pungent, referencing the acrid taste of the plant.

Good to know

It is often called the meadow buttercup.
The flowers are highly reflective, which helps attract pollinators.
It was historically used in folk medicine, though this is dangerous due to its toxicity.

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.