We’re going to go ahead and say it: ranunculus is springtime’s number one flower. Sorry, but not sorry tulip fans!
Although ranunculus are usually yellow, they also come in a wide variety of other colors, from chalk whites and pastel pinks to fiery reds and oranges. Their bold, paper-thin petals will turn the head of every guest who sees them displayed in your home. They also make for stunning wedding bouquets—especially when paired with louder blooms like peonies and roses. There are also many other interesting ranunculus facts if you want to brush up on some floral trivia.
While you can get ranunculus flowers, also called buttercups, throughout the year, they naturally only blossom from January to May. Don’t worry though, if you’re dying for a fresh Bouq of ranunculus you can definitely get your hands on some, it might just come with a higher price tag.
Regardless of how you end up with an eye-catching ranunculus Bouq, you’ll want to make sure you know the ins and outs of ranunculus care. That way, they’ll live a long and happy life in your home and please many-an-eye in the process. Before diving into that, let’s jump into some of the symbolism and meanings that make ranunculus so special. Trust us; it’ll give them a new appeal you never knew they had.
Ranunculus Symbolism
In general, buttercups are a symbol of charm and attractiveness, and they are commonly given to a crush (can somebody find us Chris Hemsworth’s address, please!)
Ranunculus’ name comes from two Latin words, “rana” meaning frog and “unculus” meaning little. It is believed that they were granted this title thanks to blooming in the wild next to streams where frogs were a common sight during the spring.
According to Native American folklore, a careless and playful coyote would throw his eyes into the sky and catch them as a way to entertain himself. One time, he tossed his eyes into the air only to have an eagle swoop by and steal them away. Unable to see, the coyote plucked two ranunculus flowers out of the ground and fashioned them as eyes. Thus, ranunculus flowers earned the nickname of Coyote Eyes.
In Persian legend, a young Persian prince fell head-over-heels in love with beautiful young nymphs. Sadly, the nymphs did not share his love. He sang to them every day and night but still, they spurned his interest. The rejected prince died on the spot from sadness and in his place grew a ranunculus flower.
Ranunculus Flowers Carry Specific Meanings Based on their Color
- Orange ranunculus flowers symbolize friendship and positive energy.
- Red ranunculus flowers symbolize romance, love, and passion.
- Pink ranunculus flowers symbolize gentleness.
- Yellow ranunculus flowers symbolize joy and happiness.
- Purple ranunculus flowers symbolize uniqueness.
How to Care for Ranunculus
Now that we got that out of the way let’s talk about ranunculus care indoors. Unlike many other flowers, ranunculus’ textured crepe-like petals are extremely delicate, and their blooms require a bit more attention. So handle carefully when removing them from their packaging and follow our steps below to help your ranunculus Bouq last 7-10 days.
Prep Your Ranunculus
When your fresh ranunculus flowers arrive, they might be a bit wilted and may not be in tip-top shape. But don’t worry! All is fine and good. They just need a bit of H2O, and they’ll perk right up. Here’s how to prep your ranunculus for its vase:
- Fill a clean vase with warm water.
- Add flower food and a teaspoon of sugar to the vase.
- Use sharp scissors to trim one inch off from the bottom of the stem at a 45-degree angle—it’ll make it easier for your ranunculus to slurp up all that tasty water.
- Remove all excess foliage that would rest below the vase’s waterline, as the leaves can introduce potentially harmful bacteria to the water.
- Drop the ranunculus flowers in and arrange how you see fit—just make sure they have adequate support and room to bloom.
Find Them a Suitable Place to Call Their Own
Cut flowers aren’t a big fan of direct sunlight or hot or cold drafts—and neither are ranunculus. So, obviously, you’ll want to make sure your vase is away from those hazards in a nice, cool room. If they haven’t bloomed quite yet, it’s okay to place them in a sunnier spot, but only for a short period.
And always keep ranunculus flowers away from pets—they’re toxic to animals!
Recondition Every Other Day
Great! Your vase of ranunculus is looking downright gorgeous in its new home. Good for you! But don’t stop there! Every two days, you’ll want to re-trim the stems, change the water, and add more flower nutrients that they can dine on to stay healthy. Like people, flowers need clean drinking water.
As you can see, caring for ranunculus isn’t such a complicated task. In fact, with just a few minutes of your day, you can keep those pretty little flowers of yours strutting their stuff for more than a week.
Shop Ranunculus at The Bouqs Co.
If you still need some ranunculus to call your own, why not head over to The Bouqs Co., your favorite online flower shop, and grab a fresh, handcrafted ranunculus bouquet for yourself? It’ll brighten up your day, and is sure to turn the heads of every visitor who steps through your door.
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