Persian buttercup
Ranunculus asiaticus
Also called Ranunculus
Garden plant · BulbsSoak the claw-shaped tubers for four hours before planting, points DOWNWARD, and start them in pots. Put a dry claw straight into cold wet ground and it rots.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 4 daysWater the ground — water at the base, in the morning, not over the leaves.
- Light
- Full sun
- Feed
- Once a fortnight
- Humidity
- Average
- Hardiness
- Hardy — an average winter RHS H4, to -10°C
- Size
- 0.35 m tall · 0.3 m across
- Lifecycle
- Bulb
- Origin
- Southern Europe and south-west Asia
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses.
PeopleHarmful if eaten, and irritates skin
HandlingTake care handling it
RHS category C — harmful if eaten, and a skin irritant.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-03.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.