How to grow poppies from seed for your own superbloom!

Poppies are a beautiful flower that readily self-sow and creates an impressive landscape for years. Growing poppies is so easy that you really only need to know when and how to plant poppy seeds. Once they have been planted, these delicate but independent flowers will continue growing and self-seed so they can impress you year after year.

There’s something compelling about growing poppies from seed. They are so self-sufficient that they can grow on hillsides and roadways. Poppies create an impressive colorful display when blooming in mass. But up close, each individual poppy bloom looks so fragile and delicate.

There are many varieties of poppy flowers. However, our growing guide will focus on the easiest poppy plants to grow, California (Eschscholzia californica) and Oriental (Papaver orientale). These poppies are a natural choice for cottage gardens and wildflower landscapes.

All poppy plants need full sun. So choose a location where the poppies can have a minimum of 6 hours of daily sunlight. For the best flowering, 8 hours is even better.

Whether you grow California or Oriental, poppy may depend on what colors and petals you like.

Direct sow poppy seeds outdoors when the soil is warm enough to cultivate. A temperature of 60ºF is best for poppy seed germination. 

Poppy seeds can also be successfully sown in the fall and winter. Try our method of winter sowing.    

Light is required for germination, so gently press the poppy seeds into the soil without covering them more than 1/8 of an inch.    

Keep the poppy seeds moist but not soggy.

Once the poppy seedlings emerge in 14 to 21 days, thin the seedlings to a spacing of 6 to 8 inches apart.

There really isn’t much to do to maintain Oriental and California poppies. They will grow and bloom in their regular season as long as they have full sun.

Water - Poppies don’t need a lot of water. More often, too much water is a problem with poppies. In locations with clay soil, roots can become waterlogged and rot.

Regular watering when they are first growing will help them get established roots. Then restrict water to encourage deep root growth. Once established, poppy plants can tolerate drought.

Fertilizer - Poppies won’t need additional fertilizer during the growing season. 

Deadheading - Removing spent blooms will encourage the poppies to continue growing. Cutting the flowers will keep them producing new blooms and prevent the plants from developing seed pods. Each poppy bloom only lasts a few days, but the plant will continue to produce fresh flowers.

California and Oriental poppies are perennials and will last several years in climates with mild winters. However, if poppies are allowed to self-sow in any location, they will come back year after year.

California and Oriental Poppies are easy to grow. They just need full sun and well-draining soil.

The best place to plant poppy plants is in a location with full sun. However, since they readily self-seed, you may also want to choose a location where poppy plants can grow a little wild.

You can plant poppy seeds in March through May, depending on the temperature. You can also plant poppy seeds in the fall between August and October, and then they will grow and bloom in the spring.

If you love the look of poppies, try growing some heirloom varieties. These self-sufficient flowers will reward you with an impressive display of colorful poppy blooms year after year.