Cape Buttercup Plant Care

Ranunculus capensis Thunb.

Updated ยท Sources ยท How we source care data

Ranunculus multifidus, called the common buttercup in South Africa, is a widespread species of flowering plant in the family Ranunculaceae. It is native to Subโ€‘Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula.

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Full sun to partial shade

At a glance

How do you care for Cape Buttercup?

Cape Buttercup grows best in full sun to partial shade. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.

Where Is the Cape Buttercup Native To?

Native range58 countries

What Is the Cape Buttercup?

Cape Buttercup (Ranunculus capensis) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Ranunculus genus. Cape Buttercup is native to Subโ€‘Saharan Africa, Madagascar, and the Arabian Peninsula.

Cape Buttercup displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Cape Buttercup produces brightly colored, multi-petaled blooms in various shades.

What Light Does the Cape Buttercup Need?

Cape Buttercup thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Cape Buttercup?

Moist, well-draining soil with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Cape Buttercup to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Do You Repot a Cape 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 Cape Buttercup?

Cape 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 Cape 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 Cape Buttercup?

Cape 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

Cape 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 โ€” compare its care with other Ranunculus species on PlantoScan.

Ranunculus is part of the Ranunculaceae plant family โ€” browse all Ranunculaceae genera and species.

Cape Buttercup thrives in bright light and direct sun โ€” 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 capensis Thunb., family Ranunculaceae (first published in Prodr. Pl. Cap. : 94 (1800)) โ€” World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Cape 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 โ€” values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.

Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link โ€” we check and correct reported errors.

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