How much sun does Lesser Celandine need?

Lesser Celandine grows best in shade conditions.

When does Lesser Celandine bloom?

Lesser Celandine blooms in March, April, and May.

What pollinators does Lesser Celandine attract?

Lesser Celandine draws bees and flies.

Is Lesser Celandine HOA-friendly?

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

Lesser Celandine

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Ficaria verna

Last reviewed: August 2026

Toxicity unknown

Lesser Celandine (Ficaria verna) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

shade

Water

medium

Size

3"–12" H × 6"–18" W

Bloom

Mar, Apr, May

Pollinators

bees, flies

Native alternatives to Lesser Celandine

Lesser Celandine 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.

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Wondering what could grow where Lesser Celandine is now? Upload a photo of the spot and Patch Vision shows a rendering of it replanted with natives for your region.

Try it with your yard

Ficaria verna, commonly known as lesser celandine, is a low-growing spring wildflower that produces bright yellow buttercup-like flowers from March through May. This shade-tolerant perennial goes dormant by early summer, disappearing completely until the following spring.

In an HOA neighborhood

Lesser Celandine takes more care to keep looking intentional in a front yard. Maintenance level: high. Consider it for backyard or mid-zone beds rather than the street edge.

Works well in: backyard only.

Invasive species that spreads aggressively
Leaves completely bare ground after going dormant in summer
May be prohibited by local ordinances

Wildlife value

The early spring blooms provide nectar for bees and flies when few other flowers are available. However, this is a non-native species that can become invasive and crowd out native spring wildflowers.

Common questions

How much sun does Lesser Celandine need?: Lesser Celandine grows best in shade conditions.
When does Lesser Celandine bloom?: Lesser Celandine blooms in March, April, and May.
What pollinators does Lesser Celandine attract?: Lesser Celandine draws bees and flies.
Is Lesser Celandine HOA-friendly?: Lesser Celandine 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.

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Ready to grow Lesser Celandine? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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