(the clump)
Aquatic buttercup (Ranunculus inundatus): small buttercup carpet for aquarium or pond
An amphibious lawn plant that blooms!
The aquatic buttercup lives in aquariums or ponds, underwater or above water, and its finely cut leaves make a beautiful effect in the foreground or as a ground cover.
In ponds, it survives the winter if its roots are not affected by frost. It then regrows in spring and will produce its pretty yellow buttercup flowers in the warm season.
Still too little known among aquarists, it has very strong qualities and we are proud to present this little rarity.
Why choose the Aquatic buttercup?
- 🦠 Its roots host intense microbial life (rhizosphere): which promotes its growth and health, but also benefits the entire aquarium.
- 🐸 Amphibious: pretty and cute both submerged and emerged (open tank, paludarium, or pond).
- 🫧 Oxygenating underwater: it stays small but spreads easily and its photosynthesis is therefore active.
- ❄️ Perennial and hardy: can overwinter outdoors (pond or trash pond) if the bottom does not freeze.
- 🌱 Very easy reproduction: your starting clump will continuously send out stolons around it, forming dozens of new plants.
- 👌 Simple maintenance, steady growth, and easy reproduction: an ideal plant for natural aquariums.
Planting and cultivation tips
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Substrate: plant in simple soil (sand or gravel). Our aquatic buttercups have real roots covered with their microbiota, grown in real conditions (not in vitro or rock wool). This guarantees strength, autonomy, and good recovery.
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Light: more intense light gives it a more compact form. With less light, it will grow a bit taller.
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Location: in the foreground in an aquarium, under 10 to 20 cm of water or even on a wet bank as ground cover in a pond (keep roots frost-free).
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Pruning: completely unnecessary since it stays low. Keep your scissors to cut new plantlets from stolons and place them wherever you want to expand your lawn area.
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Winter: semi-hardy and perennial plant. In cold regions, make sure frost does not reach the roots.
Possible uses of Ranunculus inundatus
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Low-tech aquarium: lawn plant with bright green color to dress the foreground and cover the substrate. It quickly forms a natural carpet.
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Paludarium: very pretty when emerged, its aquatic buttercup flowering is then remarkable.
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Pond and trash pond: perennial plant that overwinters and forms small dense herb beds where fry and microfauna can hide and thrive safely.
⭐ Aquazolla’s tip: For a natural look, plant several small clump fragments spaced 2–3 cm apart. Good lighting gives a compact form and nicely rounded leaves. In wet or marshy areas, ensure the substrate remains saturated with water at all times.
FAQ - Aquatic buttercup (Ranunculus inundatus)
Can it live underwater, in a natural or low-tech aquarium?
Yes, it will easily establish and quickly form a decorative and protective lawn carpet for fry, water lice, and microfauna.
How to plant it?
Avoid cleaning its roots upon receipt: our plants have grown in real conditions, not in vitro or in rock wool. Their roots are covered with an adapted microbiota that helps them acclimate and grow quickly. You can divide the clump into several plants spaced apart so they quickly cover the desired surface.
Is it a difficult plant to maintain?
The aquatic buttercup is an easy and very undemanding plant. Too rare in aquaristics, it is a true Aquazolla favorite for natural aquariums. Its roots host intense microbial life (biofilm, rotifers, protozoa, etc.).
Is it hardy in winter?
It is semi-hardy and perennial. In mild regions, it can overwinter outdoors without problem. Otherwise, just make sure the roots do not freeze, for example by planting deep enough so ice does not reach the base.
How to propagate it?
It’s incredibly easy: it sends out stolons in all directions (like strawberry plants!) and you just need to let it do so, or cut new plantlets to place wherever you want.
Additional information
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Scientific name: Ranunculus inundatus
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Plant type: perennial amphibious plant, lawn, oxygenating, ground cover.
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Light: the more light, the more compact it stays and the more it oxygenates the water.
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Temperature: 18 to 28°C in aquarium, survives if base is frost-free in pond.
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Appearance: its small size, delicacy, and color make it a remarkable plant for nano-aquariums and aquascaping.
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Size: up to 5, even 8 cm maximum. Underwater, it remains more compact.
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Packaging: 1 clump with non-sterile roots (approximate weight: 20 g).
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Guarantee: no rock wool or any artificial substrate of any kind. Plants grown in real soil, not in a lab.
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Recommendation: as a precaution, please never release this plant into the wild as it could naturalize there. Our ecosystems are fragile and must be preserved.
