Lesser Spearwort Plant Care
Ranunculus flammula L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ranunculus flammula, the lesser spearwort, greater creeping spearwort or banewort, is a species of perennial herbaceous plants in the genus Ranunculus (buttercup), growing in damp places throughout the Boreal Kingdom. It flowers June/July.
Full sun to partial shade
At a glance
How do you care for Lesser Spearwort?
Lesser Spearwort 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 Lesser Spearwort?
Lesser Spearwort (Ranunculus flammula) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Ranunculus genus. Lesser Spearwort is also known as Yellow Buttercup, Flame Buttercup.
Lesser Spearwort displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Lesser Spearwort produces brightly colored, multi-petaled blooms in various shades.
What Light Does the Lesser Spearwort Need?
Lesser Spearwort thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lesser Spearwort?
Moist, well-draining soil with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Lesser Spearwort to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Do You Repot a Lesser Spearwort?
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 Lesser Spearwort?
Lesser Spearwort can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to western water buttercup plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Lesser Spearwort 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 Lesser Spearwort?
Lesser Spearwort 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
Lesser Spearwort 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.
Lesser Spearwort 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 flammula L., family Ranunculaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 548 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Lesser Spearwort 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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