Poppy
Also known as: Papaver · Iceland poppy · Breadseed poppy · California poppy
10 types of poppy
Breadseed / Opium (P. somniferum)
80 daysBig blowsy blooms then decorative seed pods. Seeds are the culinary poppy seed.
California (Eschscholzia)
60 daysBright orange state flower. Drought-tolerant, self-sows aggressively.
Giant Poppy
80 daysalso: Papaver somniferum 'The Giant'
Tall, bold breadseed poppy with extra-large flowers and pods.
Iceland (P. nudicaule)
70 daysShort-lived perennial in cool climates; annual elsewhere. Pastel crepe petals.
Iceland Poppy
also: Papaver nudicaule, Icelandic Poppy
Cool-loving short-lived perennial — tissue-paper flowers in white, yellow, orange, pink.
Opium Poppy
80 daysalso: Papaver somniferum
Large peony-like blooms followed by ornamental seed pods; seeds are the culinary poppy seed.
Oriental (P. orientale)
Year 2Perennial poppy with plate-sized red-orange blooms. Dies back in summer.
Oriental Poppy
Year 2also: Papaver orientale
Perennial poppy with large crepe-paper blooms in red, orange, pink, or white; dies back in summer heat.
Prince Of Orange Oriental Poppy
Year 2also: Papaver orientale 'Prince Of Orange'
Brilliant orange-scarlet Oriental poppy with a dark eye.
Shirley (P. rhoeas)
65 daysThe Flanders / red field poppy. Silky single or double blooms.
When & where
Germination
Spacing & depth
How to plant
Broadcast seed onto bare cold soil in fall or on top of the last snow in late winter. Do NOT cover — light is required. Freeze-thaw cycles wake the seed. Thin ruthlessly.
Pre-sow treatment
Cold exposure is required. Fall/winter sowing gives it naturally; otherwise mix seed with damp sand and refrigerate 4 weeks.
Grower's tip
Mix seed with sand for even broadcasting — poppy seed is dust-fine.
Soil preferences
Well-drained garden soil. Native/wildflower species prefer lean soil; cutting flowers prefer richer beds.
6.0–7.0
Work 1 in of compost into beds before sowing. Skip nitrogen fertilizer on wildflowers — it favors foliage over blooms.
Watering
1 in per week during establishment, drought-tolerant once rooted for most species.
Deep, infrequent soakings at the base. Overhead water on ornamentals promotes botrytis and rust.
Overwatered: rotted crowns, mildew, floppy stems. Underwatered: small blooms, curled leaves, quick fade.
Prefers top-watering — Top-water at the base in the morning. Overhead water batters open flowers and spreads botrytis on tightly-packed blooms.
Temperature tolerance
60–80°F (16–27°C) ideal for most annuals
50–65°F (10–18°C)
Cool-season annuals (larkspur, poppy, snapdragon) tolerate light frost; warm-season annuals (zinnia, cosmos, marigold) are frost-tender.
Container growing
Possible with the right cultivar
8–14 in (20–35 cm) wide
Compact and dwarf types do best in pots; tall cutting flowers need staking.
Succession planting
Sow cutting flowers (zinnia, cosmos, sunflower) every 3 weeks through midsummer for continuous cut stems.
Detailed harvesting
Cut in early morning when stems are turgid. For cutting varieties, harvest when the bud is just showing color and 1–2 outer petals have opened.
Post-harvest storage & preservation
Immediately re-cut stems underwater and place in clean cool water for 4 hrs before arranging. Petals can be dried on screens for potpourri or crafts.
Culinary, medicinal & other uses
Cut flowers, dried arrangements, pollinator habitat, edible garnishes (borage, nasturtium, calendula, viola).
Medicinal or traditional uses are shared for interest only — this is not medical advice. Consult a qualified professional before using any plant medicinally.
Seed saving
Mostly insect-pollinated (outcrossing).
For pure strains, isolate 150–800 ft or bag heads. Wildflower mixes are meant to cross freely.
Stop deadheading favorite blooms; let heads dry brown and rattling on the stem, then collect into a paper bag.
Your zone's planting calendar
Pick your USDA hardiness zone and we'll estimate the key dates for poppy in your area. These are regional averages — always check your own last-frost forecast before sowing.
From your kitchen — grow poppy from what you already have
Deadhead less. Let the best blooms fade and set seed on the plant — that's your next year's packet.
- 1Mark 2–3 of your favorite flowers with a bit of yarn and stop deadheading them.
- 2Wait until the seed head or pod dries fully on the plant — brown, papery, and rattling.
- 3Cut whole heads into a paper bag on a dry day; shake or rub to free seed.
- 4Sieve out chaff and store cool and dry in a labeled envelope.
Storage: 2–5 years for most flower seed.
My Poppy notes
Poppy seeds on hand
Track packets and loose seeds you already have. Private to your account.
Par level — leave at 0 for no alert. Anything below par shows on Seed Starting and your shopping list.
Order more seeds
Running low? Reorder from one of these seed stores.
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