What are the sun requirements for Eschscholzia californica?

Eschscholzia californica requires Full Sun.

How much water does Eschscholzia californica need?

Eschscholzia californica has Very Low water needs.

Eschscholzia californica, California poppy

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Perennials

Eschscholzia californica

California poppy

Papaveraceae

California and western United States, northwestern Mexico; naturalized worldwide

At a Glance

TypeAnnual

HabitMounding

FoliageDeciduous

Height6–12 inches (15–30 cm)

Width6–12 inches (15–30 cm)

Key Features

Attracts Pollinators

Deer Resistant

Drought Tolerant

Native to North America

Maintenancelow

Overview

A cool-season annual or short-lived perennial (zones 8–10) reaching 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) tall and 6–12 inches (15–30 cm) wide. Stems slender, branching from the base, blue-green and glaucous. Leaves finely dissected, feathery, 2–4 inches (5–10 cm) long, blue-green to gray-green. Cup-shaped flowers 1.5–3 inches (4–7.5 cm) across with 4 silky petals; wild plants typically produce vivid orange, though cultivated selections range from yellow and cream to pink, red, and bicolor. Flowers close at night and on overcast days. California state flower since 1903. Self-seeds prolifically; volunteer seedlings emerge in fall (in mild climates) or early spring. Grows best at temperatures of 50–75°F (10–24°C); plants decline rapidly when summer heat arrives. In zones 8–10, behaves as a short-lived perennial with a taproot.

Native Range

Eschscholzia californica is native to California and adjacent areas of the western United States and Mexico, growing on grassy hillsides, roadsides, and open disturbed ground at 0–6,500 feet (0–2,000 m) elevation. The species has naturalized widely in temperate regions worldwide including Chile, South Africa, Australia, and Europe.

Suggested Uses

Direct-sown in naturalized meadows, rock gardens, and dry slopes at 6 inch (15 cm) spacing. The self-seeding habit makes it practical for low-maintenance sunny, dry areas. Used in cutting gardens; flowers last 3–5 days in water when cut in bud. Combines well with larkspur (Consolida ajacis), bachelor button (Centaurea cyanus), and corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) in spring meadow mixes.

How to Identify

Identified by feathery, finely dissected blue-green to gray-green foliage and cup-shaped flowers with 4 silky petals in orange to yellow (or cultivated colors) 1.5–3 inches (4–7.5 cm) across. Flowers close at night and in cloudy weather. Stems and leaves distinctly blue-green and glaucous. The raised rim (torus) beneath the flower is characteristic of the genus. Long, narrow seedpods 1.5–3.5 inches (4–9 cm) split lengthwise when ripe.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height6" - 1'

Width/Spread6" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

orange

yellow

pink

red

cream

Foliage Colors

green

gray

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~10 weeks

SpringSummer

Blooms from February through May in mild-winter climates (zones 8–10). In zones 5–7, blooms June through August from spring-sown seed. In zones 8–10 with fall sowing, blooms March through June. Self-sown seedlings that overwinter typically bloom earlier than spring-sown plants. Individual flowers last 3–4 days, but new buds form continuously. Plants decline when temperatures consistently exceed 80°F (27°C).

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

Vivid orange (wild form); cultivated selections in yellow, cream, pink, red, and bicolor

Foliage Description

Blue-green to gray-green, finely dissected, feathery, glaucous

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

Full Sun

Requires 6-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 8.0(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loamsandrocky

Drainage

well drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Very Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Direct sow seed in fall (zones 8–10) or in early spring as soon as soil is workable, 0.12–0.25 inch (3–6 mm) deep. Seeds germinate in 10–21 days at 55–65°F (13–18°C). Thin to 6 inches (15 cm) apart; plants do not transplant well due to a taproot. Grows best in lean, dry, well-drained soil — rich soils produce excessive foliage with few flowers. Requires full sun. Once established, tolerates drought and requires no supplemental irrigation in areas receiving occasional rainfall. Do not fertilize; excess fertility reduces flowering. Self-seeds prolifically in suitable conditions, naturalizing over time.

Pruning

Deadhead or shear back to reduce self-seeding and extend the bloom period in areas where self-seeding is not desired. If self-seeding is welcome, leave plants to set seed and remove after seedpods begin to split. In zones 8–10 where plants persist as short-lived perennials, cut back after the first flush and again in fall to stimulate fresh growth.

Pruning Schedule

late springsummer

Maintenance Level

low

⚠️ Toxicity Warning

Toxic to pets

Planting Guide

Planting Methods & Timing

Planting Method

direct sow

Direct Sow Timing

Direct sow in fall (zones 8–10) or early spring as soon as soil is workable; does not transplant well.

Days to Maturity

60–90 days

Plant Spacing

6 inches

Companion Planting

Good Companions

Consolida ajacis

Centaurea cyanus

Papaver rhoeas

Nigella damascena

Lupinus