
Photo: no rights reservedCC0 1.0via iNaturalist
Amur Adonis Plant Care
Adonis amurensis Regel & Radde
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's bright yellow, buttercup-like flowers are its most distinctive visual feature. Originating from eastern Asia, particularly Russia and China, Adonis amurensis is highly sought after by plant collectors for its early blooming and stunning display of color in late winter to early spring.
Every 4–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Amur Adonis?
Plant Amur Adonis in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 3a–7b) and water a young shrub every 4–7 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Amur Adonis Native To?
What Is the Amur Adonis?
Amur Adonis (Adonis amurensis) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Adonis genus. Amur Adonis is native to China, Japan (Hokkaido), Korea, and Russian Far East. Amur Adonis is also known as Spring Adonis, Winter Adonis.
Amur Adonis displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Amur Adonis produces bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with multiple petals.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Amur Adonis?
Water a young or newly planted Amur Adonis every 4–7 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Amur Adonis Need?
Amur Adonis thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Amur Adonis Prefer?
Adonis amurensis tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Amur Adonis prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Amur Adonis?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Amur Adonis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Amur Adonis?
Feed Amur Adonis every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Amur Adonis?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Amur Adonis is suited to USDA Zone 3a – 7b.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Amur Adonis?
Amur Adonis can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Amur Adonis?
Prune Amur Adonis while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Amur Adonis in Winter?
Amur Adonis is hardy down to USDA zone 3a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.
Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.
Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.
How Do You Propagate a Amur Adonis?
Amur Adonis can be propagated through seeds, division of rhizomes. Similar propagation techniques also apply to summer pheasant's eye plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Amur Adonis Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
Toxic if ingested, may cause skin irritation
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Amur Adonis?
Amur Adonis is susceptible to aphids, slugs, snails. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Amur Adonis Need?
Amur Adonis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 7b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Amur Adonis is native to China, Japan (Hokkaido), Korea, and Russian Far East.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 7b
Keep exploring plants
Amur Adonis is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Adonis genus — compare its care with other Adonis species on PlantoScan.
Adonis is part of the Ranunculaceae plant family — browse all Ranunculaceae genera and species.
Amur Adonis thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Adonis Species
Other Adonis species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Adonis amurensis Regel & Radde, family Ranunculaceae (first published in Bull. Soc. Imp. Naturalistes Moscou 34(II): 35 (1862)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Amur Adonis is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Public domain, CC0 1.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 7b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
