Ranunculus
Ranunculus offer the layered, papery petals of a peony at half the size and in a wider colour range. Italian Cloni Success and Elegance strains lead the premium market — huge heads (up to 10 cm) on strong stems. Ranunculus perform best in the first three days of vase life; plan accordingly for events.
| Family | Ranunculaceae |
|---|---|
| Origin | Mediterranean, Middle East; commercially grown in Italy, Israel, Netherlands, Japan, California |
| Peak season | February, March, April, May |
| Availability | November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June |
| Stem length | 30–50 cm |
| Vase life | 5–7 days |
| Colors | white, cream, yellow, orange, peach, pink, coral, red, burgundy, purple, lavender |
| Price tier | premium |
Recut stems and place in shallow, clean water — deep water rots the hollow stem. Refresh water every 24 hours.
- •Hollow stem — do not crush; do not stand in deep water
- •Sensitive to ethylene — keep away from fruit
- •Flowers open through their vase life; buy tight for maximum longevity
- •Italian Cloni cultivars are the premium tier — 50+ petals per head
18 named ranunculus cultivars from the Lacy Bird master catalogue — each a distinct commercial variety.
Entries marked ✦ come from the Acanta master catalogue — the shared database of cut flowers, forms, colours and named varieties that florists and studios build on. The rest are our editorial genus reference. What is Acanta →
Bouquet Builder — by Lacy BirdDesign the bouquet. See it as a photo.
Frequently asked questions
When is Ranunculus in season?
Ranunculus peaks in February, March, April, May, and florists can usually source it November, December, January, February, March, April, May, June. Availability shifts by region and greenhouse supply.
How long does Ranunculus last in a vase?
Expect 5–7 days with proper conditioning — a clean vase, fresh water every couple of days, flower food, and a cool spot away from ripening fruit and direct heat.
What can I use instead of Ranunculus?
Good substitutes for Ranunculus include Peony, Double tulip, Garden rose. Match on look, colour and season — our substitute finder ranks the closest alternatives.
What does Ranunculus symbolise?
Ranunculus is associated with charm, attraction, radiance.
How do you care for cut Ranunculus?
Hollow stem — do not crush; do not stand in deep water
