Photo: Mehdi ChetibiCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Bigleaf buttercup Plant Care
Ranunculus macrophyllus Desf.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant's large, glossy, heart-shaped leaves are a striking feature of Ranunculus macrophyllus. Originating from the mountains of East Asia, this species is highly sought after by plant collectors for its unique foliage and bright yellow flowers that bloom in late spring.
Every 3–7 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–75°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Bigleaf buttercup?
Water Bigleaf buttercup every 3–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C) and 50–70% 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 Bigleaf buttercup Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Egypt
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Tunisia
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Bigleaf buttercup?
Bigleaf buttercup (Ranunculus macrophyllus) belongs to the Ranunculaceae family within the Ranunculus genus. Bigleaf buttercup is native to southwestern Europe and North Africa. Bigleaf buttercup is also known as Large-leaved buttercup.
Bigleaf buttercup displays a low rosette, clumping growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Bigleaf buttercup produces brightly colored, multi-petaled blooms in various shades.
Leaf size: approximately 10 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Bigleaf buttercup?
Ranunculus macrophyllus requires watering every 3–7 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 3–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Bigleaf buttercup Need?
Bigleaf buttercup thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bigleaf buttercup Prefer?
Ranunculus macrophyllus grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F. Bigleaf buttercup prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
50–75°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bigleaf buttercup?
Moist, well-draining soil with organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Bigleaf buttercup to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Bigleaf buttercup?
Feed Bigleaf 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 Bigleaf 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 Bigleaf buttercup?
Bigleaf 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 Bigleaf 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 Bigleaf buttercup?
Bigleaf 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 Bigleaf buttercup Need?
Bigleaf buttercup grows outdoors in USDA Zone 8a – 10b. It survives winters down to planting zone 8a. Bigleaf buttercup is native to southwestern Europe and North Africa.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 8a – 10b
Keep exploring plants
Bigleaf 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.
Bigleaf 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 macrophyllus Desf., family Ranunculaceae (first published in Fl. Atlant. 1: 437 (1798)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Bigleaf 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: Mehdi Chetibi, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 8a – 10b, 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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