WashingtonGardener: California Poppy Plant Profile

Wednesday, May 06, 2026

California Poppy Plant Profile

California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a wildflower. They have bright orange, yellow, white, or rose-colored flowers that bloom in late spring. The foliage is a distinctive blue-green with a feathery, lacey texture.

They are also known as golden poppy, California sunlight, or cup of gold. They are the official state flower of California and are native to the southwestern U.S. and Mexico. They are hardy to USDA zones 8-10.

They need a location with at least 6 hours of full, direct sun.

California Poppy prefers fast-draining, poor to average soil; avoid heavy, wet clay, which causes root rot.

Direct-sowing is best, as they dislike root disturbance. Scatter seeds on prepared soil. There is no need to cover them with soil or mulch.

In the Mid-Atlantic, we grow them as a cool-season annual. In our region, it is best to direct-sow California Poppy seeds in late autumn for early spring growth -- or in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked.

Water them sparingly. They are drought-tolerant once established.

They generally do not need to be fertilized as too much fertilizer reduces blooms.

To encourage more flowers, remove the spent blooms, but leave a few up to self-seed for next year.

They are generally considered to be deer-resistant due to their bitter taste and toxicity.

California Poppies attract native bees and many other pollinators.

California Poppy: You Can Grow That!

The video was produced by Washington Gardener Magazine.

Audio, Video, Photos, and Text by Kathy Jentz

Additional Video and Editing by Aicha Bangoura

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