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Annual Biennial

Papaver somniferum

opium poppy

A smooth, glaucous annual, to 120cm, with heart-shaped leaves, the upper ones clasping the stem and with toothed, wavy margins. The wide-open flowers have large petals surrounding a green, urn-shaped capsule with a flat cap, and many dark purple or yellow stamens. The capsule enlarges after flowering and makes a decorative cut flower fresh or dried. Colour is variable, often white or mauve, but garden selections may be in many shades of red, pink, purple and near black. Double and laciniate forms are widely available

Other common names

balewort
carnation poppy
see morefairy's charms
Joan silver pin
John's silver pin
marble flower
maw seed
opium
peony poppy
white poppy
dream plant
flower of Venus
moonflower
sweet slumber

Synonyms

Papaver hortense

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Plant nurseries
3 suppliers

Ultimate height

1–1.5 metres

Time to ultimate height

1 year

Ultimate spread

0.1–0.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Moist but well–drained, Well–drained

pH

Acid, Alkaline, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun
Partial shade

Aspect

South–facing or East–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Exposed or Sheltered

Drought resistance

Yes

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Papaveraceae
Native to GB / Ireland: Yes
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Potentially harmful: Harmful if eaten. Wear gloves and other protective equipment when handling Pets: Harmful if eaten - see the HTA guide to potentially harmful plants for further information and useful contact numbers
Genus: Papaver can be annuals, biennials or herbaceous perennials with simple or pinnately divided leaves and short-lived, saucer-shaped, 4-petalled flowers which may be solitary or in racemes
Name status: Correct
Plant range: W & C Mediterranean, Macaronesia

How to grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow in any well-drained or moist but well-drained soil in full sun or light shade. Short-lived flowers have distinctive ""pepper-pot"" seed pods

Propagation

Propagate by seed in situ during spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Gravel garden
Prairie planting
Wildflower meadow
Cottage and informal garden
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

No pruning required but deadhead if seed is not required

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids

Diseases

May be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews, fungal wilts and verticillium wilt

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