Ranunculus and anemones make great additions to any spring garden. With their wide range of color and ruffled petals- these flowers are such a treat to enjoy!.
I have loved these early spring flowers for a long time, but I didn’t start growing them myself until this year. For years I avoided growing ranunculus + anemones as I was intimated by the process….
Just like with most things, once I learned more about the right conditions for ranunculus anemones to grow, I saw that the process is actually pretty easy.
Are you someone who has always wanted to grow ranunculus anemones but didn’t know how? This blog post will help you!
Below I’m sharing everything you need to know to grow these early spring crops in your own gardens.
Ranunculus and anemones are grown from corms. When you get your corms, you’ll probably notice that ranunculus corms look like small, brown octopuses and anemone corms look like dried-out acorns.
If you haven’t bought corms yet, you should know that they are easiest to find in the fall. If you want to get the best selection, I suggest you buy them then. By the way, we will have corms for sale as part of our fall bulb sale, so come back later this year if you want to grow the same varieties we do!
We buy corms in the fall, but it’s too cold to plant them in the fall where I live in West Michigan (Zone 5b), so we just store them until spring.
You don’t have to worry if you get corms in the fall but don’t plan to plant them until spring. Both ranunculus and anemone corms are shipped in a dry, dormant state. Put your corms away in their original box and keep them somewhere cool and dry, preferably out of direct sunlight, until you’re ready to use them.
Ranunculus, also known as Persian buttercups, are beautiful spring blooming flowers that add a pop of color to gardens. Their ruffled, rose-like blooms come in a wide range of bright colors like yellow, pink, red, orange, purple, and white. Many gardeners adore ranunculus for their charm and want to grow them, but may be wondering – how long does it take ranunculus to sprout?
An Overview on Growing Ranunculus
Ranunculus have delicate blooms but are actually quite hardy plants. They grow from corms, which are similar to bulbs The ranunculus corms go dormant in the winter and sprout new growth in the spring Ranunculus thrive when planted in the fall or early spring when temperatures are cool. They do best in zones 7-10.
Ranunculus can be planted directly in the garden or in containers. They need well-draining soil and at least 4-6 hours of sunlight per day. Ranunculus should be planted 1-2 inches deep with 4-6 inches between each corm. It’s important not to overwater ranunculus as too much moisture can cause the corms to rot.
Pre-Sprouting Ranunculus Corms
To get a head start on sprouting, ranunculus corms can be pre-sprouted indoors before planting. This helps shorten the time it takes ranunculus to sprout once planted in the garden
Here are the steps for pre-sprouting ranunculus corms:
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Soak corms in room temperature water for 2-4 hours. This activates the corms and starts the sprouting process.
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Plant soaked corms in seed trays filled with moistened potting mix. Cover with a thin layer of mix.
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Place trays in a cool (50-60°F), dark place for 2-3 weeks. Mist occasionally to keep mix moist but not soggy.
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Check for sprouts poking through the soil. Once sprouts are visible, move to a sunny spot to grow on before transplanting.
Pre-sprouting gives the corms a head start on root growth. But how long does it actually take for visible sprouts to emerge once planted?
The Timeline for Ranunculus Sprouting
On average, healthy ranunculus corms take 10-14 days to sprout after being planted. However, sprouting time can vary depending on soil temperature and planting time.
Key Factors Affecting Sprout Time
Several factors play a role in how quickly ranunculus sprout:
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Soil temperature – Ranunculus need consistent soil temperatures between 40-60°F to sprout. Warmer soils will speed up sprouting. Cooler soils will delay it.
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Planting time – Corms planted in fall sprout faster than spring, as roots have longer to grow before blooming.
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Pre-sprouting – Pre-sprouted corms emerge faster, in as little as 1-2 weeks after planting.
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Soil moisture – Even moisture is key. Too dry and sprouts struggle. Too wet causes rotting.
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Soil preparation – Loose, nutrient-rich soil enables better sprouting. Heavy or poor soils can impede sprouts.
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Corm health – Damaged, diseased, or old corms may fail to sprout well. Start with quality, fresh corms.
What to Expect by Week
Here’s a general timeline of what to expect as ranunculus corms sprout:
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Week 1: Little activity is visible above ground. Underneath, corms start sending out roots.
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Week 2: Small sprouts begin pushing through soil. Look for tiny green nubs emerging.
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Weeks 3-4: Sprouts grow taller, leaves unfold and plants establish roots.
By 4 weeks, sprouts should be actively growing. If not, issues like incorrect planting depth, poor drainage, low soil temperatures or disease may be delaying emergence.
Caring for Sprouting and Growing Ranunculus
While waiting for sprouts, here are some tips for success:
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Check soil moisture frequently. Water when surface is dry but don’t saturate it.
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Monitor for pests like slugs, snails or insects and remove any found munching on new growth.
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Place protective row cover over planted corms to maintain consistent soil moisture and temperatures.
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For spring plantings, provide frost protection with cloches or fabric when cold overnight temps are forecasted.
Once sprouts emerge, ranunculus require:
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At least 4 hours of direct sunlight per day. Move pots or thin foliage to increase light.
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Consistent watering, about 1-2 inches per week. Allow soil to partially dry between waterings.
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Fertilizing with a balanced liquid fertilizer to fuel growth. Follow label directions.
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Gentle staking if sprouts become floppy or fall over. Carefully insert a small stake and loosely tie stems.
Proper ranunculus sprout care ensures healthy, vigorous plants and abundant blooms later in the season. Be patient – your efforts will be rewarded!
Troubleshooting Issues with Ranunculus Sprouting
Sometimes ranunculus can be reluctant to sprout or have problems along the way. Here are some common issues and solutions:
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No sprouts emerging – Ensure corms were planted at the proper depth. Gently scratch top layer of soil to encourage sprouts.
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Sprouts slow to grow – Move to warmer location or check for pests. Fertilize to promote growth.
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Leggy, weak sprouts – Plants need more sun. Rotate pots or thin overhead foliage so sprouts get direct light.
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Drowned sprouts – Overwatering can rot sprouts. Allow soil to dry before rewatering.
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Chewed off sprouts – Snails, slugs or insects may be munching new growth. Remove pests and protect with row cover fabric.
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Early sprout death – Hard frosts can kill tender new sprouts. Cover plants or move to protected area on cold nights.
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Sprouts rotting – Excess moisture causes “damping off”. Let soil dry between waterings and ensure drainage is adequate.
Catching issues early allows for adjustments like increased light or moisture. But malformed or rotting sprouts may require re-planting new corms altogether.
Success with Ranunculus Starts with Corms and Patience
Anticipating how long ranunculus takes to sprout requires understanding soil conditions, climate and planting practices all play a part. While sprouting typically takes 10-14 days, ranunculus corms can surprise impatient gardeners by taking a little longer to wake up and get growing.
The key is starting with plump, healthy corms planted at the right time of year and providing the proper care through the sprouting phase. With a little time and attention, soon colorful ranunculus blooms will open to announce spring has sprung!
Step 1: Soak Your Corms
As I’ve previously mentioned, corms arrive to you in a dry + dormant state. We soak our corms before planting them to help them “wake up” and speed up the germination rooting process.
We gently transfer our corms to a floral bucket which we then fill with room temperature water. We allow our corms to soak for an average of 4 to 6 hours. During this time, our corms plump up (often doubling in size!).
When to Plant Ranunculus and Anemone Corms:
Perhaps the most confusing part of growing ranunculus and anemones is knowing when to start them.
Both ranunculus and anemones thrive under cool conditions. So, the best time to grow these flowers is early in the spring, when the weather is still cool.
Though ranunculus and anemones are delicate-looking when in bloom- don’t let their appearance fool you. It is very hard for these plants to die in cold weather; they can usually handle temperatures in the 20s and 30s. The best time to grow your ranunculus is when the temperature at night is between 45 and 50 degrees Fahrenheit and the temperature during the day is no more than 68 degrees Fahrenheit.
Know that ranunculus anemone plants shut down and go to sleep when they are exposed to temperatures above 70 degrees for a long time.
Because of this preference to cold, ranunculus + anemone often follow the same schedule as ‘hardy annuals’. This means you can plant your corms outside in your garden (without covering them) about 4 to 6 weeks before the last frost in your area.
Late February or early March is when we pre-sprout our corms at Two Sisters Flower Farm. This is about 8 to 10 weeks before our last frost date. We then transfer those plants outside 4 to 6 weeks later in early April.
Now that we have an understanding when to grow ranunculus + anemones- let’s discuss how to grow them.
How I Grow Ranunculus (+ Schedule of Planting Dates)! // Garden Answer
FAQ
Why are my ranunculus not sprouting?
How do you wake up ranunculus corms?
What month is best to plant ranunculus?
How long does it take for ranunculus seeds to germinate?
How long do Ranunculus seeds take to grow?
As your ranunculus flowers begin to fade, pinch off the flower and put them in a brown paper bag to dry. In a week or two, you can give the bag a good shake to harvest the tiny seeds. Ranunculus seeds take three or four months to grow into a blooming flower, by which time the weather may be too hot for them to thrive.
How long does it take for Ranunculus to bloom?
To aid with growth and flowering, you can use a water-soluble fertilizer added to a spray bottle and spray the plant every 18–20 days. A balanced fertilizer will give you stronger plants and more robust blooms. You can expect grown Ranunculus blooms from seeds after about 90–100 days of sowing the seeds.
How long do Ranunculus flowers last?
Ranunculus have an outstanding vase life, often exceeding 10 days. Cut when buds are colored and squishy like a marshmallow, but not yet fully open, for a vase life of 10 to 12 days. If the blooms are open when cut, they’ll still last a week but will be more fragile to transport. Be sure to cut spent flowers down to the base to promote new blooms.
How does Ranunculus grow?
Ranunculus is a tender perennial flower that grows from fleshy, underground structures called tubers. Botanically speaking, a tuber is a starchy underground stem or rhizome with buds or “eyes” that produces shoots that become leaves and stems. Sometimes the tubers are mistakenly referred to as corms, which are a modified underground stem.
Can you grow Ranunculus from seeds?
Plant corms with the tuberous roots facing down at a depth of 2 inches and space plantings 9 inches apart. Most ranunculus flowers are grown from corms; however, it is possible to produce them from seeds. The seeds should be started indoors about 12 weeks before the average date of your last spring frost.
How tall does a Ranunculus grow?
Mature ranunculus can stretch from two inches tall to two feet tall. It’s important to know that most species in the Ranunculus genus are toxic to people and pets. Below, we share how to grow and care for ranunculus flowers, so you have thriving blooms. Ranunculus are easy to grow if planted correctly.