Marsh Marigold
Caltha palustris
Also listed as Populago palustris, Trollius palustris
Also known as Kingcup, Molly-blobs, Cow's Lips
Climate Match for your location
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A low-growing perennial with glossy, kidney-shaped leaves and cheerful yellow buttercup-like flowers that bloom in early spring. It thrives in wet areas like marshes, pond edges, and boggy soils where most plants struggle.
Why grow it
Marsh marigold is among the earliest spring bloomers for consistently wet sites, flowering 2-3 weeks before most competing wetland perennials. Unlike many ornamental bog plants that demand acidic conditions, it tolerates neutral to slightly alkaline soils and establishes readily from seed or division, making it a reliable choice for pond margins and rain gardens where drainage is poor year-round.
Watch out for
In ideal conditions, marsh marigold self-seeds prolifically and may dominate smaller wetland plantings; deadheading spent flowers can reduce volunteer seedlings if needed. The plant requires consistent moisture during the growing season and will decline in areas that dry out significantly in summer, so site selection for adequate water availability is important for long-term success.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Asia, North America)
Native to: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
A low-growing perennial with glossy, kidney-shaped leaves and cheerful yellow buttercup-like flowers that bloom in early spring. It thrives in wet areas like marshes, pond edges, and boggy soils where most plants struggle.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Marsh Marigold grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Marsh marigold is among the earliest spring bloomers for consistently wet sites, flowering 2-3 weeks before most competing wetland perennials. Unlike many ornamental bog plants that demand acidic conditions, it tolerates neutral to slightly alkaline soils and establishes readily from seed or division, making it a reliable choice for pond margins and rain gardens where drainage is poor year-round.
Watch out for
In ideal conditions, marsh marigold self-seeds prolifically and may dominate smaller wetland plantings; deadheading spent flowers can reduce volunteer seedlings if needed. The plant requires consistent moisture during the growing season and will decline in areas that dry out significantly in summer, so site selection for adequate water availability is important for long-term success.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Ranunculaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Northern Hemisphere (Europe, Asia, North America)
Native to: Alaska, Connecticut, Delaware, Iowa, Illinois, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, Minnesota, Missouri, North Carolina, North Dakota, Nebraska, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Dakota, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, Washington, Wisconsin, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Flood Tolerance
pH Range
Soil Texture
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Propagation
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