How much sun does Delicate Buttercup need?

Delicate Buttercup grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Delicate Buttercup bloom?

Delicate Buttercup blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Delicate Buttercup native?

Delicate Buttercup (Ranunculus hebecarpus) is native to CA, ID, OR, WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.

Is Delicate Buttercup toxic to dogs?

Yes. Delicate 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 Delicate Buttercup toxic to cats?

Yes. Delicate 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 Delicate Buttercup attract?

Delicate Buttercup draws bees and beetles.

Is Delicate Buttercup HOA-friendly?

Delicate Buttercup takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Delicate Buttercup

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Ranunculus hebecarpus

Last reviewed: August 2026

Delicate Buttercup is toxic to dogs and cats.

Listed as toxic by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) (last reviewed 2026-05-21). If your pet has been exposed, call the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center at (888) 426-4435 and your veterinarian's emergency line.

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants so you can choose a pet-safe native alternative for your yard.

Native swaps for a yard with pets

Delicate Buttercup is listed as toxic to dogs by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. These natives fill a similar role in a planting and are not on the ASPCA toxic plant list for dogs or cats. Each plant's page carries its dated record.

Light

full sun

Water

medium

Size

4"–12" H × 4"–12" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

CA, ID, OR, WA

Pollinators

bees, beetles

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 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

Find rebates in your area

Picture natives in your own yard

Upload a photo of your yard and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it planted with natives for your region, like Delicate Buttercup.

Try it with your yard

Browse plants for this ecoregion

Coast Range Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Northwestern Forested Mountains North American Deserts Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

Ranunculus hebecarpus is a low-growing native buttercup that forms compact clumps with bright yellow flowers. This small perennial blooms from May through July and stays under a foot tall, making it suitable for front borders or rock gardens. It prefers full sun and moderate water conditions.

In an HOA neighborhood

Delicate 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.

May appear weedy or unkempt to traditional landscaping preferences
Buttercups can have negative associations despite being native
Small size may look sparse in formal front yard settings

Wildlife value

This native buttercup attracts bees and beetles during its spring and early summer bloom period. The flowers provide nectar and pollen for native pollinators.

Common questions

How much sun does Delicate Buttercup need?: Delicate Buttercup grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Delicate Buttercup bloom?: Delicate Buttercup blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Delicate Buttercup native?: Delicate Buttercup (Ranunculus hebecarpus) is native to CA, ID, OR, WA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
Is Delicate Buttercup toxic to dogs?: Yes. Delicate 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 Delicate Buttercup toxic to cats?: Yes. Delicate 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 Delicate Buttercup attract?: Delicate Buttercup draws bees and beetles.
Is Delicate Buttercup HOA-friendly?: Delicate Buttercup takes more care to look intentional in a front yard. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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.

See all plant problem guides

Pollinator Patch flags toxic plants like Delicate Buttercup and shows pet-safe natives for your ecoregion instead.

Find pet-safe natives

iPhone app Android app