Matilija poppy Romneya coulteri
Matilija poppy (Romneya coulteri) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Papaveraceae family, native to Southern California and Baja California (dry washes, often after fire). It grows 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) tall and 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 1.8 m (5.9 ft) apart.
Plan Matilija poppy in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Matilija poppy at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Papaveraceae |
| Mature height | 1.5–2.5 m (4.9–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.8 m (5.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Southern California and Baja California (dry washes, often after fire) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Matilija poppy toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: sap
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 Matilija poppy
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Matilija poppy in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- UC Botanical Garden, Berkeley (4 plants)
Questions about Matilija poppy
- How far apart should I plant Matilija poppy?
- About 1.8 m (5.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1.5–3 m (4.9–10 ft).
- Does Matilija poppy need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Matilija poppy need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Matilija poppy?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Matilija poppy flower?
- From about May for 6–11 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Matilija poppy poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Poppy alkaloids; not for eating.
- What grows well with Matilija poppy?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Matilija 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).
- Calscape: California native plants, California Native Plant Society
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
Notes and assumptions
- "Fried egg" flowers: huge crinkled white petals round a gold boss. Spreads by roots; hard to establish but then invasive in the garden.
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
- Arctic poppy Papaver radicatum
- Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis
- Dutchman’s breeches Dicentra cucullaria