Pond water-crowfoot (Ranunculus peltatus) care guide

Group
Plants
Other names
Batrachium peltatum
Family
Ranunculaceae (buttercup family)
Origin
Europe including Britain, south-western Asia and northern Africa
Water
freshwater
Temperature
4–20°C
pH
6.5–8
Care level
intermediate
Lighting
High light or full sun
Flow
Still to slow flow

Care

Pond water-crowfoot is a native British water buttercup of slow streams, ponds and lakes. It has two kinds of leaf: rounded floating leaves 3–5 cm across with three to seven shallow lobes, and fine, thread-like underwater leaves. White flowers with yellow centres, 15–20 mm across, appear in spring and summer. The brackish-water form once included here is now a separate species, Ranunculus baudotii. It is a pond and coldwater plant that needs cool water and strong light; it does poorly in heated tanks. Water figures are our estimate, not from the sources. Sources: Wikipedia (en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Ranunculuspeltatus); Wikipedia, List of freshwater aquarium plant species. Checked October 2026.

Breeding

Plant stem pieces, which root at the nodes; it also sets seed. It may be annual or perennial.

Compatibility and tank mates

Grazed by goldfish and koi. Good oxygenating cover in wildlife ponds. Not a tropical plant.

Last updated 8 October 2026. Community-edited care guide on Aquatic-Auctions.

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