Oriental poppy Papaver orientale
Oriental poppy (Papaver orientale) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Papaveraceae family, native to Caucasus, northeast Turkey and northern Iran. It grows 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) tall and 60–90 cm (24–35 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -34 °C (-29 °F). Space plants about 60 cm (24 in) apart.
Plan Oriental poppy in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Oriental poppy at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Papaveraceae |
| Mature height | 60 cm–1 m (24 in–3.3 ft) |
| Mature spread | 60–90 cm (24–35 in) |
| Spacing | 60 cm (24 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 | 6–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About -34 °C (-29 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 4) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Caucasus, northeast Turkey and northern Iran |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇷🇺 Russia |
Is Oriental poppy toxic?
- People: moderately toxic
- Cats: moderately toxic
- Dogs: moderately toxic
- Parts: all parts, latex
Contains thebaine and related opium-poppy-type alkaloids; avoid ingestion, pet level inferred from the genus.
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 Oriental poppy
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Oriental poppy in a botanical garden
It grows in these sample gardens, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Arctic-Alpine Botanic Garden (12 plants)
- Monet’s gardens at Giverny (70 plants)
Questions about Oriental poppy
- How far apart should I plant Oriental poppy?
- About 60 cm (24 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 60–90 cm (24–35 in).
- Does Oriental poppy need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Oriental poppy need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Oriental poppy?
- It tolerates about -34 °C (-29 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 4.
- When does Oriental poppy flower?
- From about May for 2–4 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Oriental poppy poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is moderately toxic; for dogs moderately toxic; for people moderately toxic. Contains thebaine and related opium-poppy-type alkaloids; avoid ingestion, pet level inferred from the genus.
- What grows well with Oriental poppy?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Oriental 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).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Foliage dies back in midsummer after flowering and regrows in autumn; needs excellent drainage.
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
- Himalayan blue poppy Meconopsis betonicifolia
- Matilija poppy Romneya coulteri
- Arctic poppy Papaver radicatum
- Bloodroot Sanguinaria canadensis
- Dutchman’s breeches Dicentra cucullaria