Photo: Saryu Mae 前 朝琉CC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Mount Cook Buttercup Plant Care
Ranunculus lyallii Rydb.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Ranunculus lyallii, also known as Lyall's Buttercup, is a striking alpine plant with vibrant yellow flowers and deeply lobed leaves. It is native to the mountainous regions of New Zealand, where it thrives in rocky, well-drained soils.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–70°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Mount Cook Buttercup?
Water Mount Cook Buttercup every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–70°F (10–21°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 2 months during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Mount Cook Buttercup Native To?
What Is the Mount Cook Buttercup?
Mount Cook Buttercup (Ranunculus lyallii) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Ranunculus genus. Mount Cook Buttercup is native to New Zealand.
Mount Cook Buttercup displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Mount Cook Buttercup produces brightly colored, multi-petaled blooms in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Mount Cook Buttercup?
Ranunculus lyallii requires watering every 7–10 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 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Mount Cook Buttercup Need?
Mount Cook Buttercup thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Mount Cook Buttercup Prefer?
Ranunculus lyallii grows best at temperatures of 50–70°F. Mount Cook Buttercup prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
50–70°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Mount Cook Buttercup?
Moist, well-draining soil with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Mount Cook Buttercup to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Mount Cook Buttercup?
Feed Mount Cook Buttercup every 2 months 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 2 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Mount Cook 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 Mount Cook Buttercup?
Mount Cook 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 Mount Cook 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 Mount Cook Buttercup?
Mount Cook 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 Mount Cook Buttercup Need?
Mount Cook Buttercup grows outdoors in USDA Zone 7a – 8b. It survives winters down to planting zone 7a. Mount Cook Buttercup is native to New Zealand.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 7a – 8b
Keep exploring plants
Mount Cook 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.
Mount Cook 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 lyallii Rydb., family Ranunculaceae (first published in Mem. New York Bot. Gard. 1: 166. 1900) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Mount Cook 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: Saryu Mae 前 朝琉, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 7a – 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.
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