Is It Too Late to Plant Poppy Seeds This Spring? A Guide to Growing Beautiful Poppies

Poppies hold a special place in many peoples hearts. : Great Scarlet Poppy from Thompson & Morgan

It’s easy to add bright waves of color to your garden by growing your own poppies from seeds. They’re also great for filling in empty spots. Even better news? Once planted, they’ll come back year after year, forming graceful drifts over time.

As soon as you follow our easy steps on how to plant poppy seeds, your beds and borders will be filled with lots of these beautiful, unique flowers.

As spring transitions into summer, you may be wondering if you’ve missed the window for planting poppy seeds this year. While poppies are traditionally sown in early spring, the good news is that it’s not too late to successfully grow these cheery flowers even if you’re just getting started. With a little planning and care, you can easily add lovely poppies to your garden this season.

When is the Best Time to Plant Poppy Seeds?

Poppies thrive when sown in cool weather. In most climates, early spring is ideal as the soil has thawed but temperatures are still mild. Sowing seeds in late winter or early spring allows plants time to establish before heat arrives. The early bird method ensures poppies grow strong and put on their best floral display.

However, even if you didn’t get seeds planted during the optimal early spring period, you can absolutely still sow poppy seeds successfully In fact, they can be planted any time up until early summer As long as you pay attention to keeping the soil moist, poppies germinate readily in cool spring and early summer conditions.

So don’t be discouraged if spring slipped by without planting poppies. Take advantage of the extended sowing window and get seeds in the ground now for flowers this year. With proper care, late-sown poppies will bloom vigorously. The key is keeping their soil consistently damp, especially as temperatures climb. Mulch also helps retain moisture.

Preparing a Site for Poppies

While poppies aren’t too picky, choosing an ideal site sets them up for success. Pick a spot that gets full sun—at least 6 hours per day. Poppies thrive in open, sunny sites.

In terms of soil, poppies grow best in loose, well-drained earth. Amend clay-heavy soils with compost to improve drainage Or plant your poppies in raised beds, which provide excellent aeration and drainage.

Poppies flourish in neutral to slightly alkaline soil, so adding lime is beneficial if your soil is acidic. A soil pH between 6.0-7.0 is optimal.

Poppies require little fertility. In fact, high nitrogen encourages leafy growth over flowers. Unless your soil is very poor, fertilizer likely isn’t necessary when planting poppies from seed.

How to Plant Poppy Seeds for Summer Blooms

Poppy seeds are so tiny that proper planting technique is important for good germination rates Follow these tips for sowing success

Loosen soil and remove any weeds or debris from your planting site. Rake to create a smooth seedbed.
Sprinkle seeds directly onto prepared soil. Or for easier spacing, mix seeds with sand before sowing for visibility.
Plant seeds shallowly, no more than 1/4 inch deep. Tiny poppy seeds need light to germinate.

Space seeds 4-6 inches apart to allow for growth. Poppies don’t like to be overcrowded.
Water gently after planting. Keep soil moist, but not soaked, for 7-10 days until seedlings emerge.
Consider using row cover to protect young seedlings. Remove once plants are 3-4 inches tall.

Thin seedlings to 12-18 inches apart when they have 4-6 leaves. This ensures good air circulation as plants mature.

With a thinly planted site and attentive watering, you’ll soon have little seed leaves unfurling. Keep soil evenly moist as seedlings establish and grow. A layer of mulch helps retain moisture while inhibiting weeds. Within a few weeks, you’ll have vigorous young poppy plants on their way to flowering.

Caring for Poppies Through Summer Heat

Poppies grow actively in cool conditions but can struggle once hot, dry summer weather arrives. Using mulch and providing consistent moisture helps poppies thrive even with summer sowing. Here are some tips:

Mulch around plants with 2-3 inches of organic matter. This insulates soil, reducing temperature fluctuations.

Check soil moisture frequently, watering when the top few inches become dry. Prevent wilting.
Provide 1-2 inches of water per week if rain is lacking. Deep watering encourages deep roots.
Avoid overhead watering, which can foster foliar diseases in heat. Drip irrigation or a soaker hose are better options.

Consider providing afternoon shade if possible. Draping lightweight row cover helps buffer intense midday sun and heat.

With attention to their water needs and protection from scorching sun, your poppies will bloom reliably even when sown in early summer.

Enjoying Poppy Flowers All Season Long

One of the best things about poppies is that they produce flowers over an extended period. Once plants are established, blooms begin in early summer and continue into fall.

Deadheading spent blooms encourages new flower buds to form. Trim back each faded flower just below the spent petals. This maintains a tidy appearance and promotes ongoing bloom.

To prolong enjoyment of your poppies, stagger planting over several weeks. Start a new patch every 2-3 weeks. This provides a continuous succession of flowering.

With routine deadheading, poppies sown in early summer will flower for months. You’ll have their distinctive blossoms to brighten your garden through summer and into fall.

Top Types of Poppies to Grow

Many gorgeous poppy varieties thrive with summer sowing. Here are some top types to try:

Shirley Poppies – Frilly, silky blooms in shades of white, pink, red, and purple.
Iceland Poppies – Cheerful, ruffled flowers on tall, wiry stems. Blooms until frost.

Oriental Poppies – Showy, satiny flowers up to 6 inches across. Stunning colors.
California Poppies – Cottage garden classic with fine-cut foliage and orange, yellow, or red blooms.
Tulip Poppies – Large blossoms resembling ruffled tulips. Scarlet blooms with black bases.

With their diverse colors and forms, poppies add delightful variety to any sunny flower bed or border. Get seeds planted now for a gorgeous showing this season. Even if you’re late to sow, with attentive care poppies will thrive and flower before fall frosts arrive. Don’t miss out on growing these iconic beauties this year!

How to sow poppy seeds

The elegant poppy Pink Fizz has two-tone, pink bicolour blooms. : Thompson & Morgan

Choose a sunny spot with good drainage. Weed the area and rake to a fine tilth.
Put some poppy seeds in your hand and spread them out very thinly on the ground to make drifts that look natural.
Depending on the type, the soil, and the growing temperature, it may take anywhere from 7 to 30 days for the seeds to sprout. Keep the soil moist during germination.

When the seedlings are big enough to handle, space them about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Water the area regularly, especially during dry spells. Be careful not to do too much, as this can cause plants to grow too quickly and become leggy or even rot.

If you missed the chance to start from seeds, you can still buy oriental types like the satin poppy as grown plants. Harden off outside for two to three days after the risk of frost has passed. Then plant in rich, well-drained soil.

Which poppy variety should you plant?

Theres more to poppies than the iconic red flowers, as illustrated with poppy Album. : Clive Nichols

You can choose from approximately 120 different varieties of poppy including annual, biennial and perennial flowers. Poppy seeds come in many colors. Plant a mix of colors for a naturalized wildflower garden look, or plant a lot of one color to make a dramatic statement.

The Flanders or field poppy (papaver rhoeas) is the easiest to grow. It is most often seen as a memorial to soldiers who died in the First World War. It’s an annual, bee-friendly variety that’s ideal in a wildflower garden.

Poppies that grow every two years or more are a great choice for a long-lasting plant for your garden or border. Poppies from Asia have bigger, fuller flowers, while poppies from Japan and Iceland have unique colors like mauve and gold.

If you’re growing poppies for culinary use, the opium poppy is a good choice. You can eat the seeds, and they are also used to give breads and cakes more flavor, crunch, and bite. Be careful, as the seeds of many other poppy species are not edible. Also, you must not consume any other part of a poppy plant – they’re poisonous.

Is it too late to sow poppies?

FAQ

Can I just throw poppy seeds on the ground?

Poppies germinate best with some light so do not bury the seeds. Cover them with a very thin layer of fine soil or just press them into the soil. Keep the soil moist but not soggy until seeds germinate. Once the soil temperature is at least 55 F expect germination in 10-15 days.

How long do poppies take to grow from seed?

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.

Can I plant poppy seeds in summer?

Planting Time The general consensus is that Poppy seeds should be started directly outdoors in the late fall (after a killing frost) or the early spring when frosts are still expected.

Should I soak poppy seeds before planting?

Poppy seeds do not require any treatment (eg soaking, stratification) before sowing. Poppy seeds grow best when they are sown directly into the garden.

Do I need to freeze my poppy seeds before planting?

Place seeds on a slightly moist (not wet) paper towel and cover with another layer of paper towel then place into a sealed plastic container (we repurpose to go containers for this) and pop seeds into the refrigerator for a few weeks and even put them into the freezer for a day or two before planting.

Do you plant poppy seeds in the fall or spring?

Poppies are best when they are grown from seed that is planted in fall or winter, even in cold winter areas. The seeds need to go through the natural freeze and thaw cycles to germinate and that is accomplished by fall sowing. They can also be sown in early spring, about a month before your last frost date.

When should you plant poppy seeds?

Sow the seeds in spring or fall. Poppy seeds require a period of stratification in order to germinate. That means they need to be exposed to cold or frost before they’ll sprout. It’s usually a safe bet to sow poppy seeds in very early spring, while there’s still a good chance of frost.

Can you plant poppy seeds outside?

Yes, you can plant poppy seeds directly outdoors in the spring. Poppies prefer soil that is light, dry, and well-draining. Plant the seeds on the soil surface and lightly cover them with soil or compost. Space the seeds about 6 inches apart. Be sure not to plant them too deeply. When should I plant poppy seeds?

Can you grow poppies from seeds?

Perennial poppies are often purchased as started plants, but annual poppies are easily grown from seeds. Poppy seeds should be cold-stratified for several weeks. They also need light to germinate, so don’t bury them in the soil. While they do best when direct seeded, they can be transplanted after germination in containers or cells.

When should I plant poppy seeds in Zone 7?

In Zone 7, the best times to plant poppy seeds are either in the fall or early spring when light frosts are still possible, ensuring that seeds have the cold exposure needed to stimulate germination. My garden planning always takes into account the latest expected frost dates and the specific needs of the poppy varieties I choose to plant.