Ranunculus Mix

Ranunculus tubers look like small clawed corms. Unpack them as soon as they arrive and keep them cool, dry, and out of direct sun until planting time.

Planting

1. Time it right. In zones 8-10, plant in fall for spring flowers. In zones 6-7, plant in early spring once the soil can be worked, or start indoors in pots and move out after frost.
2. Pick full sun. Choose a spot with at least 6 hours of direct sun and loose, well-drained soil; avoid low areas where water sits.
3. Presoak the claws. Soak tubers in room-temperature water for 3-4 hours before planting to jump-start growth.
4. Set them claws down. Plant 2 inches deep with the pointed claws facing downward, spaced 4-6 inches apart.
5. Backfill and water in. Cover with soil, firm gently, and water once to settle the bed.

Container Planting

• Use a draining pot. Choose a container with holes and a light, well-drained potting mix.
• Group for impact. Space tubers 4 inches apart and place the pot in your sunniest spot; move it as the season shifts.

Watering

• Keep it evenly moist. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry during active growth and bloom.
• Do not overdo it. Soggy soil rots the tubers, so let the surface dry between waterings.
• Ease off after bloom. Reduce watering as the foliage yellows and the plant goes dormant.

Feeding

• Start with balanced food. Mix a slow-release, balanced fertilizer into the bed at planting.
• Boost during bloom. Apply a liquid bloom fertilizer every 2-3 weeks while buds are forming.

Cutting & Cleanup

• Cut often. Harvest stems when buds feel like a marshmallow, just before full opening, to trigger more flowers.
• Deadhead spent blooms. Remove faded flowers to keep energy going into new buds.
• Let foliage fade. Leave leaves in place until they yellow so the tuber can recharge.

Overwintering

• Zones 8-10. Leave tubers in the ground and mulch lightly; they will return next season.
• Zones 6-7 and colder. Treat as annuals, or lift the tubers after the foliage dies back, dry them, and store in a cool, dry place until spring.

How many bulbs come in this order?

Each order includes 25 Ranunculus in a mix of colors, shipped dormant and ready to plant.

Will Ranunculus come back every year?

In zones 8 through 10 the tubers are hardy and return each spring. In zones 6 and 7 they are usually grown as annuals, though you can lift and store the tubers over winter and replant in spring.

When should I plant the tubers?

Plant in fall in zones 8-10 for spring bloom. In cooler zones, plant in early spring after the ground thaws, or start them in pots indoors and move them outside once frost danger passes.

Which end goes down?

The pointed claws face down. Plant them about 2 inches deep after a 3-4 hour soak in room-temperature water.

Can I grow Ranunculus in containers?

Yes. Their compact 4 to 6 inch spread and 15-inch height suit pots and window boxes. Use a well-drained mix, space tubers about 4 inches apart, and keep the pot in full sun.

Are Ranunculus deer resistant or toxic to pets?

Deer and rabbits generally avoid Ranunculus because all parts of the plant are bitter and irritating. That same trait makes the plant toxic if chewed by cats, dogs, or people, so plant where pets are unlikely to nibble.