🌸 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
Key:🤝 Grows well together❌ Keep apart☀️ Sun needs💧 Water🗺️ Hardiness zone
🤝 Companions (3)
Hoverfly larvae from poppies attack carrot rust fly; both thrive in well-drained soil
Light, airy growth doesn't shade lettuce; attracts beneficials to the lettuce patch
Attracts hoverflies that control aphids; self-seeds to provide ongoing beneficial presence
⚠️ Keep Apart (0)
No known enemies listed.
📝 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
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