Arctic poppy Papaver radicatum
Arctic poppy (Papaver radicatum) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Papaveraceae family, native to Arctic Norway, Svalbard, Greenland and the Canadian Arctic (gravel and scree). It grows 10–20 cm (4–8 in) tall and 10–20 cm (4–8 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -50 °C (-58 °F). Space plants about 15 cm (6 in) apart.
Plan Arctic poppy in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Arctic poppy at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Papaveraceae |
| Mature height | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Mature spread | 10–20 cm (4–8 in) |
| Spacing | 15 cm (6 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -50 °C (-58 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 1) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 22 °C (72 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | High |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Arctic Norway, Svalbard, Greenland and the Canadian Arctic (gravel and scree) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇴 Norway, 🇷🇺 Russia |
Is Arctic poppy toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: mildly toxic
- Dogs: mildly toxic
- Parts: all parts
Poppy alkaloids; not for eating.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Arctic poppy
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Arctic poppy in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (28 plants)
- Jardin botanique de Montréal (16 plants)
Questions about Arctic poppy
- How far apart should I plant Arctic poppy?
- About 15 cm (6 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 10–20 cm (4–8 in).
- Does Arctic poppy need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Arctic poppy need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Arctic poppy?
- It tolerates about -50 °C (-58 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 1.
- When does Arctic poppy flower?
- From about June for 4–6 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Arctic poppy poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is mildly toxic; for dogs mildly toxic; for people mildly toxic. Poppy alkaloids; not for eating.
- What grows well with Arctic poppy?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Arctic poppy. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Norwegian species and red-list information, Artsdatabanken
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden, Tromsø, The Arctic University Museum of Norway (UiT)
Notes and assumptions
- Arctic-alpine: needs cold winters with snow cover, cool summers and sharp drainage; struggles in warm, humid lowlands.
- Cup-shaped flowers turn to follow the sun, concentrating heat for visiting insects.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Field poppy Papaver rhoeas
- Bleeding heart Lamprocapnos spectabilis
- California poppy Eschscholzia californica
- Oriental poppy Papaver orientale
- Himalayan blue poppy Meconopsis betonicifolia
- Matilija poppy Romneya coulteri
- Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis
- Dutchman’s breeches Dicentra cucullaria