How to Plant and Care for Ranunculus in California

Introduction

Ranunculus are a florist and gardener favorite, famous for their rose-like, layered petals and incredible vase life. Luckily, they thrive in California’s cool, mild winters and reward gardeners with weeks of colorful blooms in spring. Planting ranunculus might feel mysterious at first—their corms look like little octopus claws—but with the right steps, you’ll have a stunning garden of ranunculus in no time.

Step-by-Step Planting Guide

Step 1: Timing

• Plant ranunculus corms in fall through early winter (October–December in most of California).

• Planting in cool months ensures strong root growth and longer bloom time in spring.

Step 2: Pre-Soak the Corms

• Soak corms in room-temperature water for 3–4 hours before planting.

• This “wakes them up” and jump-starts root development.

• Optional: Pre-sprout by placing soaked corms in damp peat moss or vermiculite in a cool, dark place (around 50°F) for 10 days. This can give you earlier flowers.

Step 3: Choose Your Spot & Prepare Soil

• Ranunculus need full sun for the best blooms.

• Soil must be well-draining—soggy soil will rot the corms.

• Work in compost or organic matter before planting for rich, loose soil.

Step 4: Planting Depth & Spacing

• Plant corms 2 inches deep with the “claws” pointing downward.

• Space them 6 inches apart to give room for foliage and flower stems.

• Cover lightly with soil and press gently.

Step 5: Watering

• Water well after planting to settle the soil.

• Keep soil consistently moist during growth, but not soggy.

• Reduce watering once plants finish blooming and begin to yellow.

Ongoing Care

• Fertilize every 2–3 weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer once green shoots appear.

• Cut flowers often—ranunculus are cut-and-come-again, so the more you harvest, the more they bloom.

• Frost protection: In colder valleys or foothill areas, cover young plants with frost cloth on very cold nights.

After Bloom Care

• Ranunculus bloom heavily for 6–8 weeks in spring. As weather warms, plants naturally begin to decline.

• Once foliage yellows, you can:

  • Pull and compost them if treating as annuals (the easiest method in California).

  • Or lift, dry, and store the corms in a cool, dry place for replanting next fall. Keep in mind that stored corms may be less vigorous than fresh ones.

• Many California gardeners (and farms) prefer to plant fresh corms each year for the strongest results.

Final Tip

Ranunculus give a professional florist quality bloom right from your own garden. With a little prep and consistent watering, you’ll be rewarded with armloads of stunning, long-lasting blooms every spring.

🌸 Ready to plant? Browse our Ranunculus Corms and bring these incredible flowers to your California garden.