Overview
These bright orange cup-shaped blooms grow well in fields or containers.
Conditions
To grow successfully, choose a sunny location (6+ hours of direct sunlight) with well-drained soil.
Planting
Plant seeds outdoors in early spring or late fall, scattering them lightly over the soil's surface. Use our grow calendar tool to find specific planting dates for your region! Gently press them into the earth without covering them, as they require light to germinate. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, then allow it to dry between watering.
Care
Once the poppies reach a height of 3–4 inches, thin to the one strongest plant every 6 inches. Fertilize sparingly, as these wildflowers thrive in nutrient-poor soil. Deadhead (removal of old flowers) to prolong flowering.
Pets and Disease
Slugs and snails may attack seedlings or newly emerging shoots in early spring during moist conditions. Traps and baits are quite effective for controlling these pests. To get rid of aphids is to spray them off your plants with a strong stream of water from the garden hose. Fungal diseases like downy and powdery mildew may kill young seedlings or cause growth deformities.
Harvest
The best time to harvest California Poppies is just as the flowers are going to seed and for either fresh or dry arrangements.
