Simple Ranunculus Growing Hacks Every Beginner Should Know

Picture of Salmon Ranunculi blooms

At Pure Maiden Farm, we’ve grown ten thousands of ranunculus plants and learned firsthand that small growing habits can make a huge difference in your harvest. Whether you’re growing in a backyard bed or scaling up your flower patch, these two simple hacks can help improve your ranunculus crop dramatically—especially if you're just starting out.

🌿 1. Thin the Bottom Leaves to Improve Airflow and Prevent Disease

One of the most common issues beginner growers face with ranunculus is fungal disease. If you’ve ever noticed yellowing leaves, wilting stems, or a plant that suddenly collapses—poor airflow might be the culprit.

Here’s what we do on our farm: once the plant is established and has put on good growth, we carefully thin the bottom leaves. This helps air circulate around the base, reducing the chances of fungal issues like botrytis. It also keeps moisture from sitting on the leaves after watering or rain, which is critical during cooler seasons.

Tip: Only remove a few leaves at a time and do it on a dry day. Be sure not to overwater afterwards, especially if you’re growing in heavier soils.

🌸 2. Pinch the First Flower to Get Taller Stems and More Blooms

We know—it’s hard to cut that very first flower you’ve been waiting for! But pinching the first bloom is one of the best tricks we’ve learned to encourage stronger growth and more productive plants.

By removing the first flower before it opens fully, you’re redirecting energy back into the root system and encouraging the plant to branch. That means you'll get more stems, longer stems, and often better vase life.

It’s a small act of patience that pays off with a much better yield.

If you’re new to ranunculus growing, start with these two habits. They’re easy to apply, beginner-friendly, and can lead to big improvements in the health and productivity of your plants.

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