Small-flower Buttercup Plant Care
Ranunculus abortivus L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ranunculus abortivus is a species of flowering plant in the buttercup family, Ranunculaceae. Its common names include littleleaf buttercup, small-flower crowfoot, small-flowered buttercup, and kidneyleaf buttercup.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Small-flower Buttercup?
Small-flower Buttercup grows best in full sun to partial shade. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
What Is the Small-flower Buttercup?
Small-flower Buttercup (Ranunculus abortivus) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Ranunculus genus. Small-flower Buttercup is native to all ten Canadian provinces as well as Yukon and the Northwest Territories, and most of the United States, except Hawaii, Oregon, California, and parts of the Southwest. Small-flower Buttercup is also known as Kidneyleaf Buttercup, Early Buttercup.
Small-flower Buttercup displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Small-flower Buttercup produces brightly colored, multi-petaled blooms in various shades.
What Light Does the Small-flower Buttercup Need?
Small-flower Buttercup thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Small-flower Buttercup?
Moist, well-draining soil with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Small-flower Buttercup to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Small-flower Buttercup?
Divide and repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Small-flower Buttercup?
Small-flower Buttercup can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to western water buttercup plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Small-flower Buttercup Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
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 Small-flower Buttercup?
Small-flower Buttercup 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.
Keep exploring plants
Small-flower Buttercup 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 Ranunculus genus — compare its care with other Ranunculus species on PlantoScan.
Ranunculus is part of the Ranunculaceae plant family — browse all Ranunculaceae genera and species.
Small-flower Buttercup thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Ranunculus Species
Other Ranunculus species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ranunculus abortivus L., family Ranunculaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 551 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Small-flower Buttercup 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.
- 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.
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