When to Plant Poppy Seeds
Poppies prefer to settle down directly outdoors in their forever homes rather than being relocated. But if you must start indoors, you can use biodegradable peat pots before the last spring frost; just plant the whole pot outside once your poppy seedlings are ready for their big debut! In growing zones 3–7, you can plant Red Corn Poppy, Shirley Poppy—Mixed Colors, and Shirley Poppy—Mixed Double seeds in late autumn or early spring when a light frost might still crash the party. In zones 8–10, it’s best to sow these seeds in late autumn or winter.
Where to Plant Poppy Seeds
Poppies are pretty laid-back; they just need ordinary, moist, well-drained soil and plenty of sunshine to thrive!
How to Plant Poppy Seeds
Before planting, poppy seeds need a two-week cold stratification treatment. Don’t worry; it’s not as scary as it sounds! Check out how to cold stratify your seeds here. Poppy seeds love light, so skip the covering.
In moderate climates, Papaver Rhoeas acts like a perennial, but they’re annuals where winter means freezing temperatures and snow. They germinate best in cool to moderate temps and can even tolerate a little frost! For planting, mix one part seed with five parts sand and scatter it over your prepared area. If you’re going the row route, space those seeds 6” to 8” apart.
How to Care for Poppies
These poppy varieties usually sprout in about 20 days. Once they’re up, you can thin them out to 6” to 8” apart. Poppies like regular watering but can handle a bit of drought—talk about low-maintenance! No need for fertilizing; Mother Nature’s got this. Expect blooms in about 60 to 90 days after planting, depending on your growing zone and some cooperation from the weather gods. Poppies bloom from spring to summer, typically for a few weeks. Keep those flowers coming longer with regular watering, mulch for moisture, and by deadheading the spent blooms. For an extended bloom season, consider successive plantings—more poppies, more fun!