Corn Poppy (Papaver rhoeas)

How much light does a Corn Poppy need?

Full sun is the recorded outdoor light level, meaning six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. The flowers are usually vivid red with a black spot at their base, but sometimes they are purple or white. Nodding flower buds open to reveal bright red flowers. Plants stand 0.8–1.5 ft (0.23–0.46 m) tall and 0.5–1 ft (0.15–0.3 m) wide. The growth rate is medium.

• Light: Full sun¹

How often to water a Corn Poppy

Medium is the recorded water level for this plant, at both ends of its range. The plant suits fertile, medium moist, well-drained soil in full sun. Good drainage is listed for the soil. Medium moisture and good drainage appear together in the record. Full sun is the recorded light level for the same planting.

• Water: Medium¹

Best soil for a Corn Poppy

Well-drained soil is the recorded need for this plant. The soil should also be fertile and medium moist. These conditions are recorded for plants growing in full sun. Medium is the water level for that soil. Its drainage is listed as good. The plant is an annual raised from seed.

• Soil drainage: Well drained¹

Hardiness and temperature

Zones 3a through 10b are listed for corn poppy. That range includes 3a, 3b, 4a, 4b, 5a, 5b, 6a, 6b, 7a, 7b, 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a and 10b. The coldest listed zone is 3a and the warmest is 10b. Full sun is the recorded outdoor light for these zones. The plant type is recorded as annual.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–10b¹

How to plant a Corn Poppy

Choose a sunny site with six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. The soil should be fertile, medium moist and well drained. Allow for a spread of 0.5–1 ft (0.15–0.3 m). Plants reach 0.8–1.5 ft (0.23–0.46 m) tall. This annual is started from seed. Its hardiness range spans zones 3a to 10b. The native range includes France, Germany, Italy and Spain. In the United States it is recorded as introduced in Alaska and the lower 48 states.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–10b¹

Winter care

The listed hardiness runs from zone 3a at the cold end to zone 10b at the warm end. The plant type is recorded as annual. Full sun is the recorded outdoor light. Medium is the recorded water level. Well-drained soil is the recorded soil need. Propagation is by seed. No frost protection, mulching or cutting-back advice is documented.

• Hardiness: Zones 3a–10b¹

How to propagate a Corn Poppy

You can propagate corn poppy by seed. The plant type is recorded as annual. The growth rate is medium. Hardiness zones 3a–10b are listed for it. Full sun is the recorded outdoor light. The flowers are usually vivid red, sometimes purple or white. Water is recorded as medium.

• Propagation: Seed¹

Common problems

Three pests are recorded for this plant: carnation tortrix moth, stem nematode and pea leafminer. The carnation tortrix moth is recorded as Cacoecimorpha pronubana. The disease recorded is tomato spotted wilt virus. The virus is recorded under the name Orthotospovirus tomatomaculae.

• Common pests: carnation tortrix moth, stem nematode and pea leafminer²
• Common diseases: tomato spotted wilt virus²

Questions and answers

How much sun does corn poppy need?

The recorded outdoor light is full sun, meaning six or more hours of direct sunlight a day. Medium is the recorded water level for the same plant. Plants reach 0.8–1.5 ft (0.23–0.46 m) tall.

How do you grow corn poppy from seed?

Seed is the recorded propagation method. It is an annual, listed for hardiness zones 3a–10b. Well-drained soil in full sun is recorded. Plants spread 0.5–1 ft (0.15–0.3 m).

What color are corn poppy flowers?

The flowers are usually vivid red with a black spot at their base. Some are purple or white. Nodding flower buds open to reveal red flowers. Plants reach 0.8–1.5 ft (0.23–0.46 m) tall.