Papaver somniferum
Breadseed poppy is a cool‑season annual grown for satiny flowers and ornamental seedpods. It performs best when direct‑sown in early spring or in fall where winters are mild. Plants prefer full sun and well‑drained soil and dislike root disturbance. Flowers range from single to peony‑type doubles in many colors. Pods mature into rounded pepper‑shaker capsules that dry well for arrangements. Cultivation and use are regulated in some jurisdictions; check local guidance.
At‑a‑glance
- Group/Class: Annual (breadseed poppy)
- Height × spread: 24-48 in × 12-18 in (60-120 cm × 30-45 cm)
- Bloom window: Late spring to early summer
- Color & flower form: Satiny single to fully double blooms in white, pink, red, purple; ornamental globose pods
- Fragrance: unknown
- USDA hardiness: grown as annual in all zones
- Breeder / Year / Origin: unknown; native to the eastern Mediterranean
- Cut‑flower notes: Latex can block uptake; sear stem ends; vase life generally short to moderate
- Pet safety: avoid
How it differs
- Annual life cycle with easy self‑sowing
- Produces the largest and most ornamental seedpods among poppies
- Flowers can be very double compared with typical poppies
- Best display from direct sowing rather than transplants
Strengths
- Wide color and form range
- Good pods for dried work
- Thrives in cool spring weather
- Straightforward from seed in open ground
Care in one minute
- Site: full sun with open airflow
- Soil: well‑drained, average fertility; avoid rich nitrogen
- Water: moderate; keep evenly moist until established, then allow surface to dry between waterings
- Sowing: direct‑sow very thinly; thin to final spacing to reduce mildew
- Support: stake tall stems in windy sites; deadhead or save seedpods
Watch‑outs
- May be regulated; verify local rules before planting
- Seedlings resent transplanting
- Downy mildew and other diseases may flare in wet, cool spells
Best uses (tags)
borders, cutting, dried seedheads, cottage, meadow
Provenance note
A very old crop and ornamental with origins in the eastern Mediterranean; widely naturalized and cultivated worldwide.
References
- Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew – Opium poppy profile (origin, morphology)
- North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox – Papaver (genus overview and alkaloids)
- U.S. DOJ Diversion Control – Unwashed poppy seed (opioid residues and risk)
- Vascular Plants of North Carolina – Papaver somniferum account
Written by: Your Flowers Guide editorial team
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