Plant ranunculus corms in South Africa during the cool months from March/April to early June. Soak the corms for 2–3 hours, plant them 4–6 cm deep with the legs facing down, space them 10–15 cm apart, and water them deeply. Allow the soil to dry out between waterings.
Ranunculus are those soft, layered flowers that look like they stepped straight out of a wedding bouquet. And yet, they grow beautifully in South Africa’s cool season when you follow a few simple steps. The trick is getting the timing right, planting them correctly, and keeping their soil conditions steady. The rest, honestly, they do on their own.
This guide walks you through exactly how I plant my own ranunculus here on the farm — and I share my knowledge with you, because there is nothing better than picking bundles of blooms when spring comes.
If you want to grow your own this season, you’ll find our collections here:
Elegantly Double Ranunculus Collection
Rainbow Ruffle Ranunculus Collection
When to Plant Ranunculus in South Africa
Ranunculus are cool-season flowers. They need cool soil and cool nights to root properly.
My planting window is:
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March/April – perfect conditions
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May – still excellent
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Early June – a little late, but if you need later blooms this will do
I always tell customers: wait till the nights cool down, because ranunculus like to grow cool and slow.
Step 1: Prepare Your Soil
Ranunculus grow best in soil that drains well but still holds steady moisture.
If your soil becomes swampy when it rains, fix drainage first.
If it dries out the moment you look away, add organic matter.
Ideal soil for ranunculus:
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Loose
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Rich
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Well-drained
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Cool
Raised beds can help keep excess water away if you’re in a part of the country with wet winters.
Step 2: Soak the Corms
Ranunculus corms arrive looking like small black dried-up octopuses. They grow better if you help them plump up before planting. On the farm we soak our corms in a very weak fungicide solution, but if you prefer to grow organically, that is completely your choice.
Soaking instructions:
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Soak for 2–3 hours
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Use room-temperature water
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Do not soak too long, because corms start to disintegrate
After soaking, the legs look plumper and more alive. That’s exactly what you want.
Step 3: Planting Depth and Direction
Once the corms are hydrated, I apply a basic starter fertilizer to the soil, this helps them to have a good start when energy is needed.
Depth
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4–6 cm deep
Direction
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Plant with the little black octopus legs pointing downward
After soaking and plumping up, it’s easy to see where the legs are. Keep them facing down.
Be careful not to plant too deep — use the size of the corm as a guide. The bigger the corm, the deeper you plant.
Step 4: Spacing
To avoid mildew and give each plant enough room to develop strong stems:
Spacing: 10–15 cm apart
Closer planting is possible, but you must be aware of airflow. In the Northern Cape, where I grow, my ranunculus tend to get powdery mildew early in the season.
Step 5: Watering
Ranunculus prefer moist, not soggy, soil when first planted. As soon as the foliage starts to appear you can begin watering them deeply, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.
Watering rhythm
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Plant corms in moist soil
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Once you see green growth on top of the soil start to water deeply
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Avoid water logging at all costs
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Avoid daily sprinkles
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Keep on watering after plants stop to flower
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Stop watering when plants start to turn yellow
Overwatering is the fastest way to kill ranunculus. The corms can turn to mush very easily. If in doubt, wait one more day.
Step 6: Sunlight and Temperature
Ranunculus thrive in full sun as long as the weather remains cool. If you can protect them from extreme cold or frost, even better. We cover our young plants with frost cloth when night temperatures drop below zero.
They grow best with:
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Cool nights
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Gentle, sunny days
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Consistent soil moisture
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Protection from unexpected cold or heat spikes
When hot weather arrives suddenly, light afternoon shade can save your crop. We use the same frost cover to protect them against the sun.
Sprouted Ranunculus Corm
Step 7: Sprouting Time
Ranunculus do all their root work first before anything happens on top. Don’t expect fast action.
Sprouting time
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3–8 weeks, depending on temperature
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Cooler = slower (but often better)
If you don’t see shoots quickly, don’t assume something is wrong. Rooting happens quietly underground.
Step 8: Feeding and Ongoing Care
Ranunculus don’t need heavy feeding, but they do appreciate good nutrition.
Feeding
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Use a low dose of balanced fertiliser when planting
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Avoid excess nitrogen (it gives big leaves and fewer blooms)
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When they start to flower, feed them with Dahlia Doepa
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Our Dahlia Doepa is very low in nitrogen — perfect for flower production and root (corm) development
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We use a light dose every 2 weeks
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Airflow
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Keep the beds weed-free
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Avoid overcrowding
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Watch for humidity buildup at the base of plants
Healthy airflow helps keep fungal issues at bay.
Step 9: Flowering
If planted at the right time, ranunculus take roughly 90 days from planting to flowering.
In cooler weather, this may take a little longer. As soon as the heat comes, flower production will slow down. But keep watering and feeding your plants to support corm production for next season.
For a longer blooming season, stagger your plantings.
Cut the flowers at the marshmallow stage for the best vase life. You can read more about harvesting in the FAQ article:
Ranunculus FAQ – The Questions Gardeners Ask Google
Ranunculus reward you richly if you give them that cool start they love. Keep your soil steady, your watering thoughtful, and your planting depth right, and they’ll give you weeks of soft, ruffled blooms you’d swear came straight out of a florist’s cooler. I hope this guide helps you plant your best crop yet.
From my field to your garden,
She who loves dahlias (and ranunculus too),
Mareli