Does it need full sun?

It prefers full sun to light shade to bloom well.

It can spread in lawns but is generally not considered aggressive.

Plant guide

Bulbous buttercup.

Ranunculus bulbosus

Pronounced ra-NUN-kew-lus bul-BO-sus

Also known as Blister Flower, Bulbous Buttercup, Bulbous Crowfoot, Bulbous Crowsfoot, Cuckoo-buds, Gowan, St. Anthony's Turnip

The bulbous buttercup is a charming perennial that pops up in meadows and lawns during the spring. It gets its name from the small, bulb-like swelling at the base of its stem. You'll love its bright yellow flowers that seem to glow in the sunshine.

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: 12 to 18 inches
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 4 to 8
Bloom time: Mid to late spring

Care

Plant these in well-draining soil where they can soak up plenty of sun. Watch for wilting during dry spells, as they prefer consistent moisture. If the foliage starts to look messy after blooming, you can trim it back to keep things tidy.

Watering: Water only during long dry spells while the plant is in leaf. It tolerates dry, well drained soil and needs no watering while dormant in summer.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer during the active growing season.
Pruning: Remove spent flower stalks to encourage a clean appearance.
Repotting: Repot only if the plant becomes rootbound in a container.
Soil: Well-draining, loamy soil
Soil pH: Neutral to slightly acidic
Temperature: -34 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.
Deer and rabbits: High

Safety

People: All parts of the plant contain protoanemonin, which can cause skin blistering and internal irritation if consumed.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, as it contains compounds that can cause irritation.
Children: Keep this plant away from children because the sap is highly irritating to skin and the plant is poisonous if eaten.
Contact allergens: The sap can cause contact dermatitis or blistering on sensitive skin.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is generally not considered a significant airborne allergen.
Edibility: This plant is toxic if ingested and can cause severe irritation to the mouth and digestive tract.

How to identify it

Bright yellow five-petaled flowers
Bulbous swelling at stem base
Deeply divided hairy leaves
Reflexed sepals beneath petals

Height: 0.15 to 0.3m
Spread: 0.1 to 0.2m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: yellow, 2 to 3cm

Problems to watch for

Powdery mildew · A fungal infection that appears as white dusty spots on the leaves.

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed, division
When to plant: autumn, spring
Overwintering: The plant dies back to the ground in summer and regrows a leafy rosette in autumn that stays green through winter, so simply clear away dead foliage in summer once it has withered.
In containers: It is not typically grown in containers as it prefers the stability of garden soil.

Division

1. Wait until the plant is dormant in late summer.
2. Carefully lift the bulbous base from the soil.
3. Separate the offsets from the main bulb.
4. Replant the offsets immediately at the same depth.

Pair this with low growing grasses to mimic a natural meadow environment.

Grows well with

Cowslip · They share similar soil and light requirements in meadow settings.
Sweet Vernal Grass · This grass provides a naturalistic backdrop for the buttercup flowers.

Similar species

Creeping Buttercup · It has a similar flower but spreads via runners rather than a bulbous base.

Science

Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Ranunculus
Order: Ranunculales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Europe and parts of North Africa and Western Asia.
Conservation: It is common in its native range and not currently considered a conservation concern.

It thrives in well drained, grassy habitats and uses its bulbous base to survive seasonal drought.

Value to wildlife: early season nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, beetles
Uses: rock gardens, meadow plantings, naturalizing

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

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

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: It prefers full sun to light shade to bloom well.
Is it invasive?: It can spread in lawns but is generally not considered aggressive.

Where the name comes from

The name bulbosus refers to the swollen, bulb like base of the stem, while Ranunculus is Latin for little frog, referring to the damp habitats many species prefer.

Good to know

It is commonly known as the bulbous buttercup.
The plant goes completely dormant in summer to avoid heat stress.
It is a classic sign of spring in many European pastures.

Also in

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This guide was generated with AI on October 19, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.