All About Ranunculus
Ranunculus have quickly become one of my all-time favorite flowers. Not only are they beautiful, but they are a workhorse in the garden and in the vase! Read on to learn all the reasons why I love ranunculus, and how you can grow your very own!
Ranunculus bloom in May through June here in the Pacific Northwest. (Sometimes we are lucky enough to have them bursting open in time for Mother’s Day!) They require special consideration when decided when and where to plant, because they do NOT like high heat.
Unlike the summer favorites of sunflowers, dahlias, zinnias etc. who LOVE the hot days of summer, ranunculus actually go dormant once temperatures consistently reach above 80 degrees Fahrenheit!
One of the most common errors I see gardeners make when planting their ranunculus is: they plant them too late.
It’s an easy mistake to make, since we often think of gardening as a summer job, but ranunculus need us to put on our winter coats and get them in the soil when it’s pretty darn cold out.
Ranunculus grow from a strange looking corm… it almost looks like a tarantula or an octopus. I actually made a silly 1 minute video a couple years ago to show what the corms look like and how I presprout them!
Pre-sprouting the ranunculus corms isn’t entirely necessary, BUT: Soaking the corms before planting IS necessary, so be sure you do that!
***It should be noted that I actually prefer to presprout just about any seed or corm or tuber I have: it gives me some peace of mind knowing that the thing I’m planting is viable and ready to rock!
Here are some of my tips for the best ranunculus crop ever:
Get them in soil before spring! Here in Olympia, Washington, I try to start my ranunculus in November or December, but I have also had success with starting them in January and even February. March would be the absolute latest I would suggest anyone try and get them started. If you have ranunculus corms that you haven’t started yet, and it’s anywhere from April 1-July 31, 1, I would suggest waiting until the fall to get yours going for June blooms the following year!
Don’t plant too deep: The corms should only be about 2” below the soil level, with their “legs” pointing down
Have a frost cloth ready: Ranunculus can handle cold temps, but if it’s well-below freezing for several days in a row, I like to keep my crop covered with a frost cloth * Generally, it it’s 25 degrees or lower, I am sure to cover with a frost cloth
If the green leaves of the ranunculus are damaged by the frost, don’t worry: The corm itself is likely just fine and will sprout new leaves soon!
Don’t over-water: During the winter months here in Olympia, we really don’t need to water any outdoor plants until the temperatures are much warmer! If your ranunculus are covered, you may need to water them lightly, but be sure to feel the soil and make a decision based on that.
Prepare for PESTS: Slugs love to eat the leaves, so be sure and sprinkle some Sluggo * down when the greens pop up. But slugs aren’t the only creatures who snack on these beauties: Here on our farm, we struggle with mice and voles chomping on the corms and leaves. I’ve found holes and tunnels where my ranunculus used to be… It’s SUPER frustrating, so plan ahead. I set mouse traps * as soon as I plant them out.
Harvest when the buds are open: I recently learned that ranunculus will be at their biggest and best form if we allow the buds to open prior to cutting them. Previously, I tried to cut them when the buds were soft and squishy, like a marshmallow, before they ever opened… but now I’m going to be sure and wait an additional day. Ranunculus close up at night and open again in the morning. Their vase life is best if you can cut them early in the morning before they open for that day.
Cut Them: As with any flower that produces multiple stems: the more you cut, the more flowers it pumps out! Don’t be afraid to cut some for yourself, your friend, your neighbor etc.! Click Here to see my favorite snippers* for cutting flowers
Freshen their vase water and enjoy! If you keep their water fresh, ranunculus have an excellent vase life, often lasting over 10 days without wilting!
Let the greens die back: Want even MORE reasons to grow ranunculus? How about this: You can save the corms and plant them again! YES. The corms may multiply under the soil, often where I plant one I will dig up 2-3 in it’s place. You’ll want to allow the greens to die back during the hot summer months, and dig the ranunculus corms up to store until it’s planting time again. I store mine in mesh bags * like this in my garage or in our guest room if the garage is too humid. Try to keep them dry and cool until you’re ready to soak them for another season! (or you can leave them in the ground and watch them come up on their own next year!)
Hopefully now you’re feeling more comfortable with growing and enjoying this lovely flower!
It’s an absolute show-stopper and loved by all.
If you’re interested in cutting some for yourself, keep your eye on our Instagram & Facebook pages for updates on the U Pick season because: We have Ranunculus in the U Pick field!
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