California Poppies (Eschscholzia californica)

California poppies thrive in full sun. They need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to bloom well.

These poppies prefer well-draining soil and are tolerant of poor soil conditions, including sandy and rocky soils. They do not require rich soil to flourish and can even perform better in less fertile conditions.

Once established, California poppies are very drought-tolerant. Water them regularly after planting until they are well-established. After that, they will generally need water only during prolonged dry spells.

Overwatering or poor drainage can lead to root rot, so it’s important to let the soil dry out between watering.

California poppies are adapted to a range of temperatures but prefer cooler spring and autumn weather. They can survive mild winters in their native range and in similar climates.

In hot summer areas, they may go dormant after blooming in late spring or early summer

Fertilizer is generally not necessary for California poppies. They can thrive in low-nutrient soils where other plants might struggle.

Deadheading (removing spent flowers) can encourage a longer blooming period, though California poppies also self-sow readily if seed pods are left to mature.

Allow some plants to go to seed if you want them to self-sow and naturalize in your garden.

California poppies are relatively pest and disease-free, especially when their basic cultural conditions are met. Keeping them in well-draining soil and avoiding overwatering are key to preventing root rot.