Ranunculus are stunning flowers that add a pop of color and texture to any garden. Their ruffled, layered petals and wide range of bright hues make them a favorite for cut flowers and landscape design. But before planting these beauties, it’s helpful to know how tall ranunculus plants grow so you can select the right spot in your garden.
Typical Height Range
On average, most ranunculus varieties reach 12-24 inches (30-60 cm) in height when fully grown However, some species and cultivars grow taller or shorter than this range
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Miniature ranunculus may only reach 6-8 inches tall. These are ideal for containers and edging the front of beds.
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Tall ranunculus species can grow over 2 feet tall These make excellent cut flowers and background plants
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Tecolote ranunculus often reach 10-12 inches in height.
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The Ranunculus Giant Mixture grows 10-12 inches tall.
So in general, plan for ranunculus to reach 1-2 feet tall at maturity depending on the variety. Give them plenty of space in all directions to accommodate their full spread.
Ideal Planting Locations
Due to their moderate height, ranunculus are perfectly suited for planting in the middle or front of flower beds and borders. Place taller flowers and plants behind them to create a layered look.
Ranunculus look beautiful on their own planted in rows or patches. You can also mix them with other mid-height flowers like tulips, iris, and ornamental allium.
For a more informal look, scatter ranunculus bulbs throughout a cottage garden filled with an assortment of blooms. The ranunculus will stand out nicely against the diversity of colors and textures.
Container plantings are another excellent way to showcase ranunculus. Choose a pot that’s wider than the ranunculus’ mature spread to avoid overcrowding. Mini varieties in particular make fantastic container plants.
Factors That Influence Height
Several factors can cause ranunculus plants to grow taller or shorter than their typical size:
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Genetics – Some ranunculus species and cultivated varieties are genetically predisposed to grow larger or smaller. Selecting the right bulb type for your needs is key.
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Climate – In ideal warm, sunny conditions ranunculus will thrive and reach their maximum potential height. Cool weather can stunt their growth.
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Soil – Rich, well-draining soil encourages vigorous growth. Poor quality soil will restrict how tall ranunculus can grow.
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Spacing – Overcrowding prevents proper air circulation and causes ranunculus to stretch and grow taller as they compete for light.
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Time of bloom – Ranunculus bloom progressively through spring and early summer. Plants will be shortest when initially sprouting and reach full size when flowering.
By considering these factors and choosing an appropriate variety, you can ensure your ranunculus grow to the perfect height for your unique garden design needs.
Caring for Tall Ranunculus Varieties
If you select a giant ranunculus variety that grows over 2 feet tall, some extra care will be needed:
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Provide staking or support cages to prevent tall stems from flopping over in wind and rain.
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Pinch or trim back overly leggy stems to encourage bushier, sturdier growth.
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Water deeply and fertilize regularly to support the greater nutrient needs of large plants.
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Plant in groups of 3 or 5 for better pollination and fuller blooms.
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Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming.
With a little extra attention, your tall ranunculus will reward you with a spectacular display!
Enjoying Ranunculus at Different Heights
One of the best qualities of ranunculus is the diversity of sizes and growth habits available. You can take advantage of this by:
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Creating a mixed height border with giant ranunculus in back and miniature ones in front
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Combining tall cut flowers with short potted ranunculus in a centerpiece
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Letting different ranunculus varieties intermingle for a casual, natural look
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Using taller ranunculus as thrilling focal points surrounded by low-growing groundcovers
Ranunculus look lovely at all heights, so don’t be afraid to experiment with them in your garden this season. Pay attention to their mature sizes and you’ll be delighted with their performance.
Final Height Tips
- Most ranunculus grow 1-2 feet tall when fully mature
- Check tag or description for exact height of each variety
- Give them adequate space to reach full size potential
- Use taller types in back of beds, shorter ones in front
- Mini varieties are perfect for edging and containers
- Provide support for extra tall varieties when needed
- Enjoy ranunculus of all sizes for dynamic garden design
With their beautiful blooms and easygoing nature, ranunculus are sure to bring joy to your garden at any height!
Soak ranunculus tubers before planting
When I read about how to start ranunculus, there was a lot of disagreement about whether the tubers should be soaked first or not. So I talked with Ken Harr, product technical manager with Sakata® Seed, who grows lots of them. He said that both approaches work but the important thing about soaking is to not forget them. They can stay in water for an hour or all night, but not longer than that. Otherwise they get water-logged and may rot. The key with unsoaked tubers is keeping the potting mix moist but not soggy until you see growth. After that you can allow the mix to dry out between drinks.
- If you want to plant ranunculus inside, use pots that are at least 3 inches deep. pots for each tuber, or put several of them in one big pot.
- Put potting mix at the bottom, then the tuber with its roots curled down.
- Top off with 2 in. of potting mix, water it, and put the pots somewhere warm (58 to 62 degrees F). There’s no need for lights until they sprout.
- In a few weeks, you should see fresh ranunculus leaves grow. When it’s 50 to 60 degrees F during the day, you can bring them outside to harden off and then plant them in the ground.
Planting ranunculus tubers inside
Where ranunculus isn’t cold-hardy (zone 7 and colder), start it indoors. Days that are between 50 and 60 degrees F are best for plants to grow. It takes 12 to 16 weeks from planting to bloom. It’s best to look at old records or online to find out when these temperatures usually happen in your area. Then, start counting back from that date to plant ranunculus. This means you may need to plant them inside as early as January.
How I Grow Ranunculus (+ Schedule of Planting Dates)! // Garden Answer
FAQ
How much space does a ranunculus need?
What is the average height of ranunculus?
Do ranunculus like sun or shade?
Do ranunculus come back every year?
Are Ranunculus cut flowers?
Today, ranunculus are grown as cut flowers mostly, though there are some shorter bedding varieties that are sold at plant nurseries in the Spring. Ranunculus reproduce by tubers and seeds. Ranunculus is a tender perennial flower that grows from fleshy, underground structures called tubers.
How tall does Ranunculus asiaticus grow?
The plant: Ranunculus asiaticus is a tuberous perennial that typically grows 12-24 in. tall (30-60 cm). It grows from bulb-like corms that are easy to find in nurseries and in catalogs. Flowers: The plant sports large, exquisite rose-like flowers, 2-5 in. across (5-12 cm), packed with tissue-thin petals.
What are Ranunculus flowers?
Ranunculus are favorite flowers for weddings, vase arrangements, and additions to gardens across the globe. Ranunculus flowers, also known as buttercups, are hardy, cool-season perennials with delicate leaves that resemble paper flowers. They come in several colors and grow best in areas where winters are mild and springs are cool and long.
Are Ranunculus easy to grow?
Ranunculus are easy to grow if planted correctly. The specifics of some species may vary, but broadly, here are the main care requirements for growing most ranunculus flowers: Choose a sunny spot, ideally that gets six hours of sunlight or more each day. Prepare well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Keep the soil moist but not wet.
