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Papaver rhoeas

common poppy

Papaveraceae

Europe, North Africa, temperate Asia

Attracts Pollinators Deer Resistant Drought Tolerant Container Friendly

SunFull Sun

WaterLow · drought-tolerant

Overview

Papaver rhoeas is an annual of the poppy family native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia, growing 12-36 inches (30-90 cm) tall on slender, bristly stems that carry a milky sap. The deeply lobed, toothed leaves are 1.5-6 inches (4-15 cm) long and mostly clustered near the base. Nodding buds straighten as they open into bowl-shaped flowers 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) across, with four crinkled, paper-thin petals in scarlet, often marked with a black blotch at the base. The flowers last only a day or two each but appear in steady succession from late spring through summer. After bloom the plant forms a rounded, ribbed seed capsule that shakes out thousands of tiny seeds through pores beneath its cap. P. rhoeas grows on cultivated and disturbed ground, field margins, and roadsides, and was long a weed of grain fields, where it became the emblem of wartime remembrance. It self-sows heavily and germinates on freshly turned soil. Individual plants are short-lived, but colonies return year after year from the seed bank.

Native Range

Papaver rhoeas is native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia. It grows on disturbed and cultivated ground, field edges, and roadsides, and has spread with grain farming across much of the temperate world, including North America.

Suggested Uses

Papaver rhoeas is grown in wildflower meadows, cottage gardens, annual borders, and naturalized plantings on disturbed soil. Its self-sowing habit suits informal, low-maintenance settings. The flowers draw bees, and the seeds feed finches and other small birds.

How to Identify

Look for nodding, bristly buds that lift and open into scarlet, bowl-shaped flowers with thin, crumpled petals, often with a dark center. The stems and buds carry stiff hairs, and broken stems ooze a milky white sap. The leaves are deeply cut and toothed.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 3'

Width/Spread6" - 1'

Colors

Flower Colors

red

Foliage Colors

green

Fall Foliage Colors

no change

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~8 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowering runs from late spring through summer, roughly May to July, with each flower lasting only a day or two. New buds open in steady succession over several weeks. The ribbed seed capsules ripen soon after and scatter seed through pores under the cap.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

scarlet with black center

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun

Requires 6-10 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 - 7.5(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam sand chalk

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Grow Papaver rhoeas in full sun in light, well-drained soil; it grows well on poor and disturbed ground and needs no rich feeding. Seed is sown where the plants are to grow, as the taproot transplants poorly. It self-sows freely, so a single sowing often returns for years if some seed heads are left to ripen. Crowded seedlings are thinned to give each plant room, or left close for a dense stand. It tolerates drought once rooted but declines in wet, heavy soil. Aphids and downy mildew appear occasionally but rarely cause lasting harm.

Pruning

No pruning is needed. Spent flower stems can be removed to extend bloom, though leaving some seed heads ensures plants return the next year. Whole plants are cleared once they yellow and set seed in midsummer.