Poppy Seeds - California Poppy - Golden Poppy - Eschscholzia californica

6, 7, 8, 9, 10

Learn more about USDA Hardiness Zones here

California poppies grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 6-10.

In zones 6-7, they're typically grown as annuals since they may not survive harsh winters, though they often self-seed reliably for the following year.

In zones 8-10, they can behave as short-lived perennials, especially in areas with mild winters, and will readily self-seed to create ongoing populations.

When to Plant: Sow seeds in fall (October-November) or early spring (February-March). Fall planting often produces stronger plants since seeds need cool, moist conditions to germinate.

Soil Preparation: Choose a sunny location with well-draining soil. California poppies actually prefer poor to average soil and don't need fertilization. Heavy, rich soils can cause weak, leggy growth.

Sowing Instructions: Scatter seeds directly on the soil surface and lightly rake in, covering with no more than 1/8 inch of soil. Seeds need light to germinate, so don't bury them deeply. Space seeds about 6-12 inches apart.

Watering: Water gently after planting to moisten the soil. Keep soil consistently moist until germination occurs (typically 7-14 days). Once established, water sparingly as these plants are drought-tolerant and overwatering can cause problems.

Care After Germination: Thin seedlings to 6-8 inches apart when they're 2-3 inches tall. Avoid fertilizing, as this promotes leaf growth over flowers. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage continued flowering, or leave some to self-seed for next year.

Germination Time: Expect seedlings to emerge in 7-21 days depending on soil temperature and moisture. Plants will bloom approximately 60-75 days from germination.