Botanical illustration of Poppy (California Poppy / Breadseed Poppy)
🎨 AI-generated botanical illustration
Home / Flowers / Poppy (California Poppy / Breadseed Poppy)

🌱 Poppy (California Poppy / Breadseed Poppy)

Eschscholzia californica / Papaver somniferum
flowers annual
☀️ Sun
full sun
💧 Water
low (very drought-tolerant)
🗺️ Zones
[3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10]
🧪 Soil pH
6.0-7.5
🪴 Soil Type
well-drained, tolerates poor soil
📏 Spacing
6-12 inches
📐 Height
1-3 feet

🤝 Companions (3)

🤝 Carrot
Hoverfly larvae from poppies attack carrot rust fly; both thrive in well-drained soil
🤝 Lettuce
Light, airy growth doesn't shade lettuce; attracts beneficials to the lettuce patch
🤝 brassicas
Attracts hoverflies that control aphids; self-seeds to provide ongoing beneficial presence

⚠️ Keep Apart (1)

⚠️ none significant
Self-seeding can become aggressive; deadhead if control needed

📝 Growing Notes

Brilliant orange, red, pink, or white blooms. Self-seeds vigorously — plant once, have forever. Attracts hoverflies and parasitic wasps. California poppy is a western native wildflower. Breadseed poppy produces edible seeds.

🛒 Buy Seeds & Plants

Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds Johnny's Selected Seeds Botanical Interests True Leaf Market Burpee Territorial Seed Company

Plot Buddies is reader-supported. When you buy through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission at no extra cost to you. This does not affect our plant recommendations — we only link to retailers we trust.