How to Grow Poppies

As with most other flowers, poppies thrive in well-prepared soil. You’ll get best results with light, well-draining ground that isn’t too rich – excess nutrients encourage leafy growth at the expense of flowers. A sunny spot with good drainage is preferred, as poppies don’t like sitting in water, and sunshine and airflow prevent mildew and ensure good plant health. If your soil is heavy or compacted, mix in sand or grit to make it more free-draining, and remove weeds, break up clumps, and rake the surface to a fine texture before sowing.

If you’re wondering how to sow poppy seeds, it’s easy – as simple as scattering the seeds in the right spot. Because poppies don’t like their roots disturbed, it’s best to sow them directly into prepared soil rather than starting them in pots indoors, in a cold frame, or in some other protected space. Choose a sunny, well-drained area, rake the soil lightly, and scatter the seeds in early spring or autumn.

Poppy seeds are incredibly fine so don’t bury them too deep. Instead, rake them gently into the soil and water them lightly to help them settle in. Keep the area moist until seedlings appear, then thin them out to prevent overcrowding. 

When to Sow Poppy Seeds 

Poppies are spring sowing flower seeds that you can sow from March to May for summer flowers, or from late August to October for an earlier display the following year. They germinate easily in cool conditions, so unlike many other flower varieties, they don’t benefit from being started earlier in the year indoors. 

When to grow poppies depends on what you want from them. Autumn sowing often produces sturdier plants, because they have time to lay down roots before the serious cold weather arrives. Spring sowing, on the other hand, gives a quick burst of colour later in the year.

Poppies are wonderfully low-maintenance once they’re established. Avoid overwatering, as too much moisture can lead to root rot; but during dry spells, a light watering now and then will keep them happy. To keep your poppies blooming all the way through the growing season, deadhead spent flowers once they start to fade and die. And if you want them to self-seed for next year, leave a few seed heads to dry on the plant before collecting and scattering them, or simply let them scatter naturally. Taller varieties may need staking in windy spots to prevent bending.

For beautiful cut flowers, harvest poppies when the buds have started to show their colour, but haven’t quite unfurled. Harvest them in the morning, when the flowers have taken up plenty of moisture overnight; the more water held in the petals at the time of cutting, the longer they’ll last in a vase. Use sharp scissors to cut the stems at an angle. Change the water regularly each day for best results.

With that, you should know everything there is to know about how to grow poppy seeds. So what are you waiting for? Whether you love the classic red of wild poppies or the soft pastel colours of ornamental varieties, you’ll find the perfect poppy seeds for your garden in our collection.

Start your poppy-growing journey today with Fothergill’s. And if you need any advice, take a look at our gardening blog or reach out. We’re always happy to help!