Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris)

Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) is an aquatic plant that can grow 10cm – 50cm tall and 10cm – 50cm wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris).

This plant has several common names including: marsh marigold, kingcup, boots, brave bassinets, bull flower, cow lily, crazy Beth, crowfoot, drunkards, goldes, golds, goldings, gools, horse blob, May blob, mare blob, marybuds, meadow-bright, meadow buttercup, meadow cowslip, meadow gowan, publican’s cloak, publicans-and-sinners, soldier’s buttons, water boots, water buttercup, water cowslip, water dragon, water goggles, water gowan or yellow gowan.

This is a deciduous plant that takes 2-5 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: marsh marigold, kingcup, boots, brave bassinets, bull flower, cow lily, crazy Beth, crowfoot, drunkards, goldes, golds, goldings, gools, horse blob, May blob, mare blob, marybuds, meadow-bright, meadow buttercup, meadow cowslip, meadow gowan, publican’s cloak, publicans-and-sinners, soldier’s buttons, water boots, water buttercup, water cowslip, water dragon, water goggles, water gowan, yellow gowan
Scientific name: Caltha palustris
Plant type: Aquatic, Bogs, Perennials
Habit: Clump-forming
Height: 10cm – 50cm
Spread: 10cm – 50cm
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Loam
Moisture: Poorly drained
Garden type: Wildlife Gardens
Planting type: Low Maintenance
Other characteristics: Plants for pollinators

Seasonal colors

How to plant Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) – H. Zell, CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Whether small or large, formal or informal, every garden has space for an aquatic element. The sound and reflective qualities of water have long been used to add interest to gardens.

A pond, fountain or even a smaller water container greatly increases the variety of plants you can grow. In addition, they also encourage a wide variety of wildlife, including insects, frogs, toads and birds.

Together with plants, these elements offer a diversity of interests.

How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) is a plant that grows in loam conditions. It is not very sensitive to soil acidity or alkalinity and grows well in soils with pH acid, alkaline or neutral.

Regarding drainage, Caltha palustris likes to grow in humid or poorly drained soil.

Sunlight

Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) should be grown in full sun places.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Marsh marigold (Caltha palustris) – Jasper33, Public domain, via Wikimedia Commons