Summer Adonis Plant Care

Summer Adonis (Adonis annua) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Adonis genus. Summer Adonis is also known as Field Pheasant's Eye, Annual Adonis.

Summer Adonis displays a low rosette, spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Summer Adonis produces bright yellow, daisy-like flowers with multiple petals.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Summer 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.

Summer Adonis thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Adonis annua tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Summer Adonis prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Summer Adonis to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Summer 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

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.

Summer Adonis is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Summer 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.

Prune Summer 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.

Summer Adonis is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Summer 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.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Summer 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.

Summer Adonis grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Summer Adonis as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.