How to Grow California Poppies

Compliments of Suzan Nuri

California Poppy Care

Like most native wildflowers, California poppies are easy to maintain. The key is providing them with growing conditions that mimic their native habitat. For this plant, it's more about what you don't give California poppies than what you do give them. Less is more when it comes to water and fertilizer. Don't coddle your plants, and you'll have the pleasure of watching them self-sow and pop up for many growing seasons to come.

Deadheading (removing the spent blooms) can promote additional flowering. However, if you want your plants to self-seed, leave some flower heads on to drop their seeds. Moreover, plants grown in hot climates and in containers are typically short-lived and often treated as annuals. Many gardeners prefer to pull them after they’re done blooming and plant new seeds the following growing season.

Light

California poppies grow and bloom best in full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. The more sunlight, the better. Poppies grown in shady conditions often will look ragged and more easily succumb to diseases.

Soil

Whereas many flowers need rich, loamy soil, California poppies can thrive in poor soils. Sandy and rocky soils both provide good conditions for California poppies. What doesn't work is heavy clay soil because these plants need sharp soil drainage. If you have clay soil, try planting in a raised garden bed or container instead.

Water

California poppies require very little water and are good candidates for drought-tolerant xeriscapes. Sporadic spring rainfall is usually adequate to irrigate the plants. In areas with hot summers, the plants will often go dormant and need no additional irrigation during this time.

Temperature and Humidity

The warming of the soil in the spring, combined with moisture from spring rain, will trigger germination of California poppy seeds. As long as temperatures remain mild, between 50 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit, California poppies will continue to grow. Excessive heat can cause dormancy. However, when cool temperatures return, the plants often will regrow and even rebloom. Moreover, California poppies prefer low to moderate humidity levels. In high humidity, good soil drainage and airflow around the plants are essential for them to stay healthy.

Fertilizer

No fertilizer is necessary to successfully grow California poppies, even in areas with nutrient-poor soil. The addition of chemical fertilizers can cause excess foliage growth at the expense of blooms.