California Poppy plant profile
Eschscholzia californica
An annual flower for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant California Poppy
California poppy is usually direct sown. NC State suggests sowing the seed directly in the ground in fall, or starting seed indoors about 3 weeks before the last frost date.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open California Poppy in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6 to 8
- Lifecycle
- Annual
- Hardiness
- Zones 6 to 10Find my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: poor drainage, transplant failure.
Next steps
Continue with California Poppy
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Eschscholzia californica (California Poppy)
NC State Extension, North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.