Ranunculus Growing Guides
How to Grow Ranunculus in South Africa
Those little dried-up claws don't look particularly promising when you first see them.
And then they grow into some of the most beautiful flowers of our cool season.
Ranunculus grow differently from dahlias and gladiolus. They love cool conditions, which means getting your planting time right is one of the secrets to success in South Africa.
Our Ranunculus Growing Guides take you through the entire journey — from that first dry corm to armfuls of layered flowers and eventually harvesting your corms for another season.
1. Getting to Know Ranunculus
Ranunculus don't grow from true bulbs.
They grow from funny little claw-shaped corms that often look like tiny dried octopuses when they arrive.
Don't let their appearance fool you. Everything they need to begin their next growing cycle is waiting inside.
Ranunculus FAQ – The Questions Gardeners Ask Google
What exactly is a ranunculus corm? Which way up does it go? Should you soak it? How long does it take to sprout?
We've answered the questions growers ask most often.
[Read: Ranunculus FAQ – The Questions Gardeners Ask Google]
2. When to Plant Ranunculus in South Africa
Ranunculus are cool-season flowers.
Unlike our summer-growing dahlias and gladiolus, ranunculus want cool soil and cool nights to establish their roots.
Your exact planting time will depend on your climate, but the important thing is not to rush them into hot soil.
When Should I Plant Ranunculus?
Our complete planting guide explains the planting window we use and why temperature matters so much.
[Read: How to Plant Ranunculus in South Africa]
3. Preparing Your Ranunculus Corms
Should you soak ranunculus corms before planting?
You don't absolutely have to, but soaking can hydrate the dry corm and help it wake up more quickly.
The trick is not to overdo it.
Soaking and Preparing Ranunculus Corms
Learn how we prepare our corms before they go into the ground and why those little claws need to point down when you plant them.
[Read: How to Plant Ranunculus in South Africa]
[Read: Ranunculus FAQ – The Questions Gardeners Ask Google]
4. Planting Ranunculus
Good drainage is one of the most important ingredients for successful ranunculus.
They enjoy consistent moisture while growing, but waterlogged soil can quickly turn those precious corms into mush.
How to Plant Ranunculus in South Africa
Our step-by-step guide covers soil preparation, soaking, planting depth, spacing, watering, sunlight, feeding and what to expect while you wait for your plants to emerge.
[Read: How to Plant Ranunculus in South Africa – A Simple, Practical Guide]
5. Waiting for Ranunculus to Sprout
Patience.
Ranunculus often work underground before they show you anything above the soil.
They begin developing roots first, which means several weeks can pass before you see green growth.
Don't assume nothing is happening simply because you can't see it yet.
How Long Do Ranunculus Take to Sprout?
Our FAQ answers this and many of the other questions that tend to appear while you are staring hopefully at a seemingly empty patch of soil.
[Read: Ranunculus FAQ – The Questions Gardeners Ask Google]
6. Caring for Growing Ranunculus
Once green growth appears, your plants need steady moisture, sunshine, good airflow and appropriate nutrition.
Ranunculus enjoy growing cool and steady.
Too much water can cause rot, while excessive nitrogen can give you plenty of leaves without the flowers you were hoping for.
Watering, Feeding and Caring for Ranunculus
Our planting guide takes you through the ongoing care we give our plants on the farm.
[Read: How to Plant Ranunculus in South Africa]
7. Ranunculus Problems and Troubleshooting
Why aren't my ranunculus flowering?
Why are the corms rotting?
Can ranunculus handle frost?
Can they grow in pots?
These are exactly the sorts of questions that appear once you start growing them.
Ranunculus FAQ
Our FAQ is the first place to look when your ranunculus aren't behaving quite as expected.
[Read: Ranunculus FAQ – The Questions Gardeners Ask Google]
[Coming Guide: Ranunculus Pests, Diseases and Growing Problems]
8. Flowering and Cutting Ranunculus
And suddenly all that waiting makes sense.
Ranunculus produce layer upon layer of petals on wonderfully useful stems, making them one of our favourite flowers for cutting.
For the best vase life, timing your harvest matters.
When to Cut Ranunculus
We harvest ranunculus at what growers often call the marshmallow stage — when the coloured bud has softened but isn't fully open.
[Read: Ranunculus FAQ – The Questions Gardeners Ask Google]
[Coming Guide: How and When to Harvest Ranunculus for Cut Flowers]
9. After Your Ranunculus Have Flowered
Don't stop caring for the plant simply because flowering has finished.
Those green leaves are still helping the plant build energy below the soil.
Allow the foliage to yellow naturally and gradually reduce watering as the plant moves towards dormancy.
Once completely dormant, the corms can be lifted and stored where necessary for the next growing season.
[Read: Ranunculus FAQ – The Questions Gardeners Ask Google]
[Coming Guide: How to Lift and Store Ranunculus Corms]
10. And Then We Start Again
A dry little corm becomes roots.
Roots become green shoots.
Green shoots become plants.
And then those rather unimpressive little claws reward you with armfuls of extraordinary flowers.
That is the ranunculus growing cycle.
We will continue adding to these Ranunculus Growing Guides as we grow, experiment and learn more from our own fields in South Africa.
Our Garden Ranunculus Mixes
We're also growing and developing our own Garden Ranunculus mixes by keeping colours separate in the field and combining them after harvest to create carefully considered mixes.
[Read: Something New Is Blooming at Love Dahlias – Our Garden Ranunculus Mixes Are Coming]
[Shop Ranunculus]
Happy growing!
She who loves dahlias — and ranunculus too,
Mareli
Love Dahlias