Wondering how to grow poppies? This popular annual flower produces colorful, cup-shaped blooms in late spring or early summer on two-foot long stems. There are many types of poppy, but the Oriental poppy is the most popular.
How To Grow Poppies In The Landscape
Variety: Oriental Poppies Papaver orientale
Zones: 3 to 9, considered an annual below zone 7
Soil Type: Average, well-drained soil
Soil pH: 6.6 to 7.5
Sunlight: Full sun
Availability: Most often sold as seeds, but nursery grown container plants are available.
When to plant: Poppy seeds should be planted six weeks before the expected last frost. Seedlings can be moved outdoors after all threat of frost has passed.
Planting Method: Poppy seedlings should be planted while they are still small. Plant seedlings in full sun and well-drained soil-avoid wet areas. Poppy plants are best grown in groups, spaced eight inches apart.
Watering: Poppies require average watering. Provide supplemental watering when rain is infrequent.
Fertilizing: Feed poppies regularly until bloom with a water-soluble fertilizer, following manufacturers instructions.
Diseases
Stem Rot: A soil born fungus that will cause the plant to suddenly collapse. As stem rot is soil born, purchased plants are at the greatest risk. Infected plants should be removed at once to limit spread. Don't compost infected plants, as the fungus will spread.
Mildew: Usually caused by limited airflow around the plant, mildew appears as a powder on the edges of leaves. Proper plant spacing will hinder the formation of mildew. An application of fungicide will also combat mildew.
Cleanup: After bloom, poppies will die back to the ground until the fall, when they begin to show new growth. Planting Baby's Breath or other mid to late summer foliage plants nearby can cover holes left as your poppies wither.
Saving Seeds: Seedpods can be gathered and allowed to dry after poppy blooms fade. Remove seeds from dried pods and clean them. Dry seeds can be stored in a paper bag over winter. Hybrid poppies will not grow true from seed, reverting to an orange color.
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