Wood Anemone Plant Care

Wood Anemone (Metanemone ranunculoides) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Metanemone genus. Wood Anemone is also known as Windflower.

Wood Anemone displays a spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Wood Anemone produces delicate, daisy-like flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Wood Anemone every 3–5 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.

Wood Anemone thrives in partial shade to full sun.

Metanemone ranunculoides tolerates temperatures of 50–75°F. Wood Anemone prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Good drainage is essential for Wood Anemone to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Wood Anemone 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 partial shade to full sun and rich, well-draining soil with high organic content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Wood Anemone 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.

Wood Anemone 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 Wood Anemone 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.

Wood Anemone 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.

Wood Anemone can be propagated through division, seeds.

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

Wood Anemone 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.

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