Photo: andrewnydamCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Sagebrush buttercup Plant Care
Ranunculus glaberrimus Hook.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ranunculus glaberrimus, also known as Sagebrush Buttercup, is a striking plant with bright yellow flowers and deeply lobed leaves. This native wildflower can be found in dry, rocky slopes and meadows across western North America, making it a popular choice for xeriscape gardens.
Every 7–14 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
30–50%
At a glance
How do you care for Sagebrush buttercup?
Water Sagebrush buttercup every 7–14 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 30–50% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Sagebrush buttercup Native To?
What Is the Sagebrush buttercup?
Sagebrush buttercup (Ranunculus glaberrimus) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Ranunculus genus. Sagebrush buttercup is native to interior western North America, in western Canada, the western United States, and the northwestern Great Plains. Sagebrush buttercup is also known as Smooth buttercup.
Sagebrush buttercup displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to tall with a spread of approximately . Sagebrush buttercup produces brightly colored, multi-petaled blooms in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Sagebrush buttercup?
Ranunculus glaberrimus requires watering every 7–14 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–14 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Sagebrush buttercup Need?
Sagebrush buttercup thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Sagebrush buttercup Prefer?
Ranunculus glaberrimus grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Sagebrush buttercup prefers humidity levels of 30–50%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
30–50%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Sagebrush buttercup?
Moist, well-draining soil with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Sagebrush buttercup to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Sagebrush buttercup?
Feed Sagebrush buttercup every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Sagebrush 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 Sagebrush buttercup?
Sagebrush buttercup can be propagated through division, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to persian buttercup plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Sagebrush 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 Sagebrush buttercup?
Sagebrush 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Sagebrush buttercup Need?
Sagebrush buttercup grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Sagebrush buttercup is native to interior western North America, in western Canada, the western United States, and the northwestern Great Plains.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Sagebrush 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.
Sagebrush buttercup thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ranunculus glaberrimus Hook., family Ranunculaceae (first published in Fl. Bor.-Amer. 1: 12 (1829)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Sagebrush 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.
- Photo: andrewnydam, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 8b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- 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.
Identify Plants Like the
Sagebrush buttercup Instantly
Scan any plant with your phone camera and get instant ID, care tips, water and fertilizer reminders, and health checks — all in one app.
Free
to download
iOS & Android
platforms
Light & dark
mode
100,000+
species