California Poppy Apricot Chiffon

Plant information to grow California poppy from seed

Plant type: Frost resistant annual flower
Height: flowers grow 40 centimeters tall
Position: full sun or partial sun
Planting time: start seeds in spring and/or autumn
Bloom time: starts 75-80 days after sowing in spring
Spacing: 20-25 centimeters between each plant
Germination: 7 - 14 days at 16-20°C lightly cover seeds with soil
Pinching/pruning: not needed
Flowers: early June to first frost, depending on the weather and moment of sowing
Pollinator-friendly: yes
Recommended seed tray or pot: start in the tiny seeds in small cells (60 or 77) and plant out after 3 to 4 weeks or direct sow seeds
The package contains: 100 seeds

How to Grow California Poppies from Seed

Growing California poppies from seed is easy and rewarding. To start, direct sow seeds into the open ground from March to May for flowering from June to September. Alternatively, you can start seeds in small cell seed trays and plant out 3 weeks after germination (recommended!).

Sow seeds a few millimeters deep in rows approximately 20 cm apart. After 7 to 14 days, the first seedlings should emerge. For an extended flowering season, consider sowing a second time in early June.

For early flowering next spring you can sow seeds in autumn.

California poppies are not very tall, but you can extend the stem length by planting them in a more shaded spot in the garden or planting them close together. Flowers last longer in the vase than "real" poppies, typically around 5 days if you pick a stem with multiple flower buds.

You don't need to treat their stems; if the flowers go floppy after picking, place the stems in fresh water in a cool place, and they will recover.