Is It Too Late to Plant Poppy Seeds? Tips for Late Season Sowing

Poppies hold a special place in many peoples hearts. : Great Scarlet Poppy from Thompson & Morgan

Growing your own poppies from seed is an easy way to add striking swathes of colour to your garden, and a great filler for any unused space. Even better news? Once planted, they’ll come back year after year, forming graceful drifts over time.

Follow our simple guide on how to plant poppy seeds and you’ll soon have lots of these distinctive and delicate flowers to brighten up your beds and borders.

Poppies are beloved garden flowers known for their vibrant colors and delicate petals. Many gardeners look forward to sowing poppy seeds in spring to enjoy their fleeting blooms in summer. But what if you missed the ideal planting window? Is it really too late to plant poppy seeds?

The short answer is no—you can absolutely still plant poppy seeds, even in late summer or early fall in some cases. With the right approach, late-sown poppy seeds can germinate and flower before winter arrives.

In this article, we’ll cover everything you need to know about late planting of poppy seeds, including optimal timing, suitable varieties, and tips to boost success. Read on to learn how you can still enjoy poppies this season.

When is the Best Time for Late Planting of Poppy Seeds?

While early spring is generally recommended for sowing poppy seeds, you can still plant poppy seeds in late summer or fall in most regions.

The optimal timing depends on

Your USDA plant hardiness zone – This determines your average first and last frost dates, impacting how much time seeds have to sprout and flower.
The poppy variety – Annual, biennial, and perennial poppies have different requirements.
Your specific climate conditions – Factors like temperature, sunlight levels, and rainfall impact timing.

Here are some general guidelines on the best times for late planting in different zones:

Zones 3-7: Sow seeds in late summer, 6-8 weeks before your average first fall frost. This gives annual poppies like Flanders poppy time to sprout and flower.
Zones 8-10: These warmer zones can sow seeds in late summer through fall since winters are milder. Oriental and perennial poppies are good options.
Zones 1-2: It’s best to wait for spring here as the growing season is very short. Focus on preparing soil this fall instead.

Pay attention to the specific needs of the poppy variety you choose too, as some have preferences for fall or spring planting.

Which Poppy Varieties Work for Late Season Planting?

While many poppies thrive when sown in spring, some are better choices for late summer or fall planting.

Here are top picks that can successfully sprout and flower before winter with a late sowing:

Annual Poppies

Flanders Poppy – This classic red poppy grows rapidly from seed sown in late summer in zones 3-7. It can quickly sprout and flower with cooler fall temperatures.
Breadseed Poppy – An annual variety that produces edible seeds, it can be sown in fall in zones 3-10 for blooms the following year. Needs a longer growing season than Flanders.
Shirley Poppy – Available in single and double forms with frilly petals. Sow seeds in zones 3-7 in late summer for flowers before frost.

Biennial and Perennial Poppies

Oriental Poppy – Large, papery blooms. Sow seeds in zones 4-9 in late summer through fall for blossoms the next year.
Icelandic Poppy – Flowers in unique colors like orange, yellow, and white. Sow seeds in zones 3-10 during late summer for blooms the following season.
Peony Poppy – Perennial with big, ruffled blooms. Sow seeds in zones 3-9 in late summer or early fall for flowers next year.

Check seed packets for more specifics on ideal planting times for the variety you select. Avoid sowing tender annuals like corn or California poppies too late.

Tips for Successful Late Planting of Poppy Seeds

You can maximize your chances of success with late sowing using these tips:

Choose a sunny spot – Poppies need full sun, so select an area getting 6+ hours of direct sunlight daily. This helps seeds germinate and sprouts grow rapidly.
Prepare soil – Loose, well-draining soil is vital. Incorporate compost and rake beds smooth shortly before planting. Moisture-retentive soil boosts germination.
Sow shallowly – Barely cover seeds with a fine layer of soil. Poppies need light to sprout, so don’t bury them.
Water carefully – Water new sowings daily to keep soil moist. Avoid heavy watering that can displace tiny seeds. Reduce watering once seedlings are 1-2 inches tall.
Apply mulch – Once sprouts are up, apply a light mulch layer around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds. Remove mulch in spring.
Protect from frost – In zones with early fall frosts, cover tender seedlings with cloches, fabric row covers, or mulch as needed to shield them.

With the right variety choice, timing, and care, late-sown poppy seeds can flourish. Just be sure to sow early enough so plants have time to become established before freezing weather arrives.

Enjoying the Beauty of Late-Blooming Poppies

Even if you get a late start, you can enjoy the ephemeral beauty of poppies before winter. Here are some of the rewards of fall-planted poppies:

Welcome Color Late in the Season

The vibrant blooms of poppies arrive late in the season when many other flowers are fading. They add a needed splash of color to the autumn garden.

Provide Food for Pollinators

Bees, butterflies, and other pollinators appreciate the abundant nectar of poppy blossoms at a time when food sources are declining.

Often Self-Sow for More Flowers

Many poppy varieties self-seed, meaning they return on their own year after year if you allow some flowers to go to seed. This gives you more blooms with less work.

Add Visual Interest to Cut Flower Arrangements

Poppies make whimsical cut flowers. Their delicate blooms and feathery greenery provide interesting texture and form to fall floral displays.

Don’t let a late start dissuade you from raising poppies this year. With a thoughtful approach, you can enjoy a stand of their colorful blossoms right up until frost. Time your late summer or fall sowing carefully, choose suitable varieties, and give your plants attentive care. You’ll soon see for yourself why poppies are so worth the extra effort.

is it too late to plant poppy seeds

How to sow poppy seeds

is it too late to plant poppy seeds

The elegant poppy Pink Fizz has two-tone, pink bicolour blooms. : Thompson & Morgan

Choose a sunny spot with good drainage. Weed the area and rake to a fine tilth.
Pour some poppy seeds into your hand and sprinkle them very thinly across the ground to create natural looking drifts.
Allow 7-30 days to germinate, depending on the variety, soil condition and growing temperatures. Keep the soil moist during germination.
Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, thin them out to around 30cm (12in) apart.
Water the area regularly, especially during dry spells. Be careful not to overdo it as this encourages quick growth and leggy plants, or even rot.

Left it too late to start from seed? You can buy oriental varieties like the satin poppy as mature plants. Harden off outside for 2-3 days when all risk of frost has passed before planting out in fertile, well drained soil.

Which poppy variety should you plant?

is it too late to plant poppy seeds

Theres more to poppies than the iconic red flowers, as illustrated with poppy Album. : Clive Nichols

You can choose from approximately 120 different varieties of poppy including annual, biennial and perennial flowers. They come in a wide choice of colours – sow a mixture of poppy seeds for a naturalised wildflower garden look, or make a dramatic statement by sowing a single colour en masse.

The Flanders or field poppy (papaver rhoeas) is the simplest to grow, and is best known as a symbol of remembrance for soldiers who gave their lives in the first World War. It’s an annual, bee-friendly variety that’s ideal in a wildflower garden.

If you want a longer-term plant, biennial and perennial poppies make a vivid addition to your garden or border. Oriental poppies have larger, blousy flowers, while Icelandic and Japanese poppies come in unique shades like mauve and gold.

If you’re growing poppies for culinary use, the opium poppy is a good choice. The seeds can be eaten and are used for adding extra flavour, crunch and bite to breads and cakes. Be careful, as the seeds of many other poppy species are not edible. Also, you must not consume any other part of a poppy plant – they’re poisonous.

Is it too late to sow poppies?

FAQ

Can I just sprinkle poppy seeds?

Natural Dispersal: Poppies naturally disperse their seeds in this way.
Light Requirement: Poppy seeds need light to germinate, so covering them with soil is not ideal.
No Transplanting: Poppies don’t transplant well, so direct sowing is the best approach.

Can I plant poppy seeds now?

Timing:
- Fall Planting: You can sow poppy seeds in late fall (around October-December) for blooms the following summer.
- Early Spring Planting: You can also sow poppy seeds in early spring (March to May) for blooms later in the summer.
Direct Sowing: Poppies are best grown by direct sowing, meaning you plant the seeds directly into the garden bed rather than starting them indoors.
Soil Preparation: Prepare the soil by removing weeds and raking the ground level.
Planting Method: Sprinkle the seeds across the soil surface and lightly cover them.
Watering: Water the seeds with a fine spray of water and repeat during dry spells.
Specific Varieties: Check the individual seed packet for when specific varieties should be sown, as some varieties are better suited for fall planting and others for spring.
Winter Sowing: Some gardeners also practice “winter sowing” where they sow poppy seeds outdoors in late fall or winter, allowing the seeds to undergo a natural stratification process during the cold months, which can improve germination.
Poppies are cool-season plants: They can tolerate temperatures down to 0°F (-18°C).
Los Angeles Specifics: As Los Angeles has a mild climate, you can sow poppy seeds in late fall or early spring, depending on your desired bloom time.

How late can I sow poppy seeds?

March to April is the preferred time to sow outdoors, for poppies can endure cold temperatures and light frosts while seedlings.

Should I soak poppy seeds before planting?

Prepare the soil: Roughen the soil surface and ensure it’s moist, says The Seed Collection.
Sow seeds: Sprinkle the seeds directly onto the soil surface.
Lightly cover: Gently cover the seeds with a thin layer of soil (about 1/8 inch), according to USU Extension.
Maintain moisture: Keep the soil consistently moist until germination occurs, says The Seed Collection.
Cold stratification (if needed): If you are growing a variety that requires cold stratification, you can achieve this by exposing the seeds to cold or frost before planting. You can also freeze the seeds in ice cubes and then put the ice cube directly on the soil, which provides a controlled environment for stratification, says a commenter on YouTube.

When should I plant poppy seeds?

You can start to sow poppy seeds as early as late January and February. For the fall, plant in September and October. You can plant as late as in April or May, but they may not get the cold they need, and you’ll get fewer poppies your first season.

Can you plant poppies from seed?

Planting poppies from seed may cause hybridizing and new colors to form, similar to columbines, but this is not very common. We’re sharing how to properly plant poppy seeds, so you can have thriving blooms. Poppy seeds can be planted either in early spring or in late fall.

Do poppy seeds need to be soaked before planting?

Poppy seeds do not require soaking before you plant them. All you need to do, says Christopher, is ‘scatter the seeds over an area and be sure to lightly rake the soil to cover them over’. ‘Remember,’ he adds, ‘that they need light to germinate, and a light watering to get them started.’

When is the best time to start annual poppies?

Annual poppies like Papaver rhoeas (Flanders poppy) and Papaver somniferum (opium poppy) can be started in early spring in zones 3-7. Like the perennials, they do best when there is still a chance of frost in the air. Each poppy can have hundreds of poppy seeds within.

How to plant a poppy plant?

For sowing, it is best to use seeds taken from large and healthy flowers collected in the field. Before sowing, you should treat the poppy with insecticides and fungicides that are made for that purpose. It is recommended to plant it in early spring, after frost, to achieve the best results.

When should you plant opium poppy seeds?

For opium poppies, you should sow the seeds in fall to early winter to get those big, large heads. However, if you live in zones 8-10, you will want to plant them in the fall instead to ensure they get the necessary cold they need to germinate.

When is the Best Time for Late Planting of Poppy Seeds?