Sow California poppy where the plants will bloom. The taproot does not like a move, so sow in place in fall or early spring, and barely cover the seed.
Sow in place in fall or early spring, and barely cover the seed
| Factor | Recommended | Avoid |
|---|---|---|
| When | Fall in a mild-winter garden, or early spring as soon as the soil can be worked | Do not wait for hot soil, and do not start a tray that you later tear apart |
| Depth | Barely cover, about a quarter inch, or press the seed in | Do not bury the seed deep |
| Sow | Scatter on bare ground that drains. Mix the tiny seed with dry sand if it clumps | Do not sow into a weed mat that will smother seedlings |
| Germination | Keep the surface moist until seedlings show, often in one to three weeks | Do not let the crust dry out, then flood it |
| Move | Leave the taproot where it germinated | Do not lift and reset a seedling |
Direct sow is the usual home start. In a mild-winter garden, sow in fall. Where winters are cold, sow in early spring, about when you would sow radishes. [1] [2] The seed is tiny. Mix it with dry sand so you can scatter it evenly, then rake or press it in so it is barely covered. [3] [4] California poppy wants that in-place start. Named color mixes often revert toward orange when they reseed.
When should I sow California poppy seed?
In fall in a mild-winter garden, or in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Sow on the bed where the plants will bloom.
Can I transplant California poppies?
Avoid it. The taproot usually fails after a move. Sow in place, or plant a very small plug without breaking the roots.
How to sow California poppy
- Clear a patch of bare ground that drains. Pull weeds so the tiny seedlings are not lost.
- Scatter the seed. Mix it with dry sand if it is too fine to spread evenly. Rake or press it in so it is barely covered, about a quarter inch.
- Keep the surface moist until seedlings show, usually in one to three weeks.
- Thin to about 6 to 12 inches. Do not lift and move a taproot. If you started a small plug, plant the whole plug while it is still young.
How deep do I plant California poppy seed?
Barely cover it, about a quarter inch. Press it in. Do not bury it deep.
Sow on the bed where the plants will bloom, keep the surface moist until seedlings show, then leave the taproot in place.
FAQ
Can I start California poppy indoors?
You can sow a cell pack two or three weeks before your last frost, then plant the whole plug. Direct sow is more reliable, because torn roots fail.
Do the seeds need cold stratification?
No extra chill is required for a garden sow. Fall sowing in a mild-winter garden, or an early-spring sow, is enough.
Related guides
Recommended plants
References
- [1] Johnny's Selected Seeds -
https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/flowers/poppy/california-poppy-key-growing-information.html - [2] University of Wisconsin Master Gardener -
https://mastergardener.extension.wisc.edu/files/2016/04/Eschscholzia_californica.pdf - [3] Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center -
https://www.wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=esca2 - [4] UC Master Gardeners of Placer County -
https://ucanr.edu/site/uc-master-gardeners-placer-county/article/california-poppies
This note is part of Eschscholzia Guides.
More notes on making another plant live in Propagating Guides.
Updated: Reviewed by Bosquelle Editors