Ranunculus are such charming spring bloomers! These beauties belong to the buttercup family and come in just about every color of the rainbow. Whether you treat them as annuals or biennials, these herbaceous perennials are a fantastic way to brighten up your space.
Growing Ranunculus on Your Balcony
We all love a sunny, south-facing balcony in the summer, but if you’re looking for the perfect spring flower for that spot, I’ve got some bad news: ranunculus isn’t your girl. These plants actually prefer a shadier spot. You definitely want to keep them out of harsh, direct sunlight to keep them happy.
When it comes to planting, they do great in pots, hanging baskets, or window boxes. Just fill your containers with standard potting soil and get them in the ground (or pot!) between March and April. Keep the soil consistently moist—regular watering is a must during the warmer months. To really help them thrive, mix a standard liquid fertilizer into your watering can every two weeks.
Planting Ranunculus Bulbs on the Balcony
If you prefer starting from scratch with bulbs (or corms) rather than nursery plants, you can get started in early spring. Here’s my step-by-step guide:
- Soak the bulbs in lukewarm water for a few hours before planting.
- Prep your containers with high-quality potting soil.
- Dig your planting holes about 2 to 2.5 inches deep.
- Place the bulb in the hole with the “claws” (the roots) pointing down.
- Cover with soil and press down gently.
- Ideally, give each bulb its own small pot.
- If you’re using a long window box, space the bulbs about 4 to 6 inches apart.
- Start watering regularly as soon as you see those first green sprouts popping up.
Overwintering Your Ranunculus Bulbs
If you leave your bulbs in balcony boxes or pots over the winter, they’ll likely freeze solid and rot. To save them for next year, it’s best to dig them up and store them indoors. Gently lift the bulbs out of the soil and shake off the excess dirt. Trim away any leftover foliage. If you notice any “offsets” (tiny baby bulbs used for propagation), go ahead and snap those off—you can store them too and plant them as new starts in the spring!
Store your bulbs in a dry, dark, and cool place. I find that laying them out in a wooden crate works best. Keep the crate in a basement, garage, or attic. Once the threat of night frost has passed in the spring, you can move your ranunculus back outside into fresh soil and start the cycle all over again!
