Bulbous Buttercup
Ranunculus bulbosus
Last reviewed: August 2026
Bulbous Buttercup is toxic to dogs and cats.
Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-08-15). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435and your veterinarian's emergency line.
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
4"–16" H × 4"–12" W
Bloom
Apr, May, Jun
Pollinators
bees, beetles
Native alternatives to Bulbous Buttercup
Bulbous Buttercup is not native to the United States. These natives fill a similar role in a planting, matched on bloom season, bloom color and mature size.
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBulbous buttercup is a low-growing perennial wildflower that produces bright yellow, glossy flowers in spring and early summer. This compact plant forms small clumps and goes dormant in summer heat, making it suitable for naturalized areas and wildflower gardens.
In an HOA neighborhood
Bulbous Buttercup takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: low. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Works well in: backyard only.
- Non-native species may be viewed unfavorably
- Goes completely dormant in summer leaving bare spots
- Can spread aggressively and may be considered weedy
Wildlife value
The cheerful yellow blooms attract bees and beetles during the spring flowering period. As an early bloomer, it provides nectar when few other flowers are available.
Common questions
- How much sun does Bulbous Buttercup need?
- Bulbous Buttercup grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Bulbous Buttercup bloom?
- Bulbous Buttercup blooms in April, May, and June.
- Is Bulbous Buttercup toxic to dogs?
- Yes. Bulbous Buttercup is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- Is Bulbous Buttercup toxic to cats?
- Yes. Bulbous Buttercup is listed as toxic to cats by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (aspca.org). If your cat has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435.
- What pollinators does Bulbous Buttercup attract?
- Bulbous Buttercup draws bees and beetles.
- Is Bulbous Buttercup HOA-friendly?
- Bulbous Buttercup takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.
Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Bulbous Buttercup and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.
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