California poppy Eschscholzia californica
California poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is an annual flowering plant in the Papaveraceae family, native to Western North America (California, Oregon). It grows 20–40 cm (8–16 in) tall and 15–30 cm (6–12 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -7 °C (19 °F). Space plants about 25 cm (10 in) apart.
Plan California poppy in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
California poppy at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Papaveraceae |
| Mature height | 20–40 cm (8–16 in) |
| Mature spread | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Spacing | 25 cm (10 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -7 °C (19 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | about 9–13 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 90 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Western North America (California, Oregon) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is California poppy toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: sap, seeds
Contains mild isoquinoline alkaloids; low toxicity but not intended 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 California poppy
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See California poppy in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (30 plants)
- Desert Botanical Garden (40 plants)
- Denver Botanic Gardens (30 plants)
Questions about California poppy
- How far apart should I plant California poppy?
- About 25 cm (10 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–30 cm (6–12 in).
- Does California poppy need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does California poppy need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is California poppy?
- It tolerates about -7 °C (19 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does California poppy flower?
- About 9–13 weeks after planting, for 9–17 weeks.
- Is California poppy poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Contains mild isoquinoline alkaloids; low toxicity but not intended for eating.
- What grows well with California poppy?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for California poppy. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- USDA PLANTS Database, USDA NRCS
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Short-lived perennial in mild climates (zones 8-10), treated as an annual elsewhere; taproot resents transplanting.
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
- Oriental poppy Papaver orientale
- Himalayan blue poppy Meconopsis betonicifolia
- Matilija poppy Romneya coulteri
- Arctic poppy Papaver radicatum
- Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis
- Dutchman’s breeches Dicentra cucullaria