California Poppy Seeds – Orange

About the Variety

When “wild” gardeners think of California poppies, this is the flower that comes to mind. Majestic, elegant, and stunningly colorful, this wild orange poppy is year-in and year-out among our most popular species. Though California Poppy Flower Seeds can, of course, be planted in smaller plots, they tend to truly dazzle when planted in abundance. And for all you folks who actually live in the Golden State (lucky!), this happens to be the California state flower.

Key Features

Frost Tolerant, Heat Tolerant, Drought Tolerant, Prefers Lean Soil, Container Friendly, Attracts Bees, Attracts Butterflies, Fast Growing, Easy to Grow, Perfect for Borders, Perfect for Xeriscaping, Medicinal, Reduces Erosion, Deer Resistant, Rabbit Resistant

Plant Details

Planting Information

Planting Guide

When to Plant

We highly recommend sowing seeds directly in the garden at the last spring frost date, but if necessary to start your seeds indoors, do so 2-3 weeks prior to the last frost. California Poppies do not like their roots disturbed and therefore should not be transplanted.

Where to Plant

California Poppies perform best in full sun, in sandy, poor to average, well-drained soils. They are heat and drought tolerant and are lovely additions to beds and borders, containers, rock gardens, and along paths or walkways.

How to Plant

Poppy seeds require a special 2 week treatment called cold stratification prior to planting them. Learn how to cold stratify your seed here. Poppy seeds require light to germinate, so be careful not to cover them when planting. Learn more about germination light requirements here. These poppies germinate most successfully in cool to moderate temperatures and they are, in fact, frost tolerant. Poppies flower best under cool spring weather conditions. Bloom decreases on poppies as temperatures increase in summer months. If needed, add 2″ of compost to your soil to promote drainage. Sow seeds shallowly with just 1/16″ layer of soil to cover them, spaced about 6-8″ apart.

How to Care for

Seedlings should sprout in 14-21 days. Thin seedlings to about 8″” apart. Poppies should be watered regularly, but they can tolerate dry conditions. It is not necessary to fertilize poppies. It generally takes about 60 to 90 days for poppies to bloom after the seed is planted. This timing depends very much on your growing zone and when you plant, along with Mother Nature’s cooperation. The bloom season for poppies is spring to summer. Poppy plants will bloom for a few weeks, but the length of bloom time can be extended by regular watering and application of mulch for moisture retention, as well as regular deadheading of spent flowers. It is also recommended that the seed be sown in successive plantings to extend the bloom season of the poppies. How to Plant & Grow California Poppies- Video Tutorial