Poppy
Doesn't transplant well, so sow seed directly where it's to flower and press it in lightly rather than burying it deep, since poppy seed needs light to germinate. Sow in autumn in milder regions, or late winter/early spring in cold ones.
- Sun
- full sun
- Water
- low
- Spacing
- 20cm
- Difficulty
- beginner
- Grows in
- Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson, Tasman, Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago, Invercargill / Southland
- Mature height
- 60cm
- Flowering season
- Sep, Oct, Nov
- Attracts wildlife
- Bees
- Common diseases
- Downy mildew
When to plant by region
In Whangārei / Northland, Auckland, Hamilton / Waikato, Tauranga / Bay of Plenty, Gisborne, Napier / Hawke's Bay, New Plymouth / Taranaki, Palmerston North / Manawatū-Whanganui, Wellington, Nelson and Tasman: March-April. In Blenheim / Marlborough, West Coast, Christchurch / Canterbury, Dunedin / Otago and Invercargill / Southland: August-September.
Growing stages
Germination & planting
- Doesn't transplant well, so sow direct where it's to flower rather than raising seedlings to move
- Press seed in lightly rather than burying it deep, since poppy seed needs light to germinate
- Sow in autumn in milder regions, or late winter/early spring in cold ones
Establishment
- Water sparingly while establishing; poppy tolerates dry conditions well
- Downy mildew can affect seedlings in damp, humid weather
Vegetative growth
- Full sun and light watering keep growth sturdy rather than soft and mildew-prone
- Watch for downy mildew on foliage in damp conditions
FloweringSeptember to November
- Bees visit the blooms, so avoid spraying insecticide while flowering
- Deadhead spent blooms to prolong flowering, or leave some to set seed for self-sowing