Field poppy Papaver rhoeas
Field poppy (Papaver rhoeas) is an annual flowering plant in the Papaveraceae family. It grows 30–70 cm (12–28 in) tall and 15–30 cm (6–12 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -10 °C (14 °F). Space plants about 20 cm (8 in) apart.
Plan Field poppy in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Field poppy at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Papaveraceae |
| Mature height | 30–70 cm (12–28 in) |
| Mature spread | 15–30 cm (6–12 in) |
| Spacing | 20 cm (8 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -10 °C (14 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 32 °C (90 °F) |
| Flowering | about 10–14 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 90 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: seeds |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇩🇪 Germany, 🇫🇷 France, 🇷🇺 Russia |
Is Field poppy toxic?
- People: mildly toxic
- Cats: not well documented
- Dogs: not well documented
- Parts: sap, unripe seed pods
Latex contains mild alkaloids; ripe seeds are edible but other parts should not be eaten.
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 Field poppy
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Field poppy in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Kew: glasshouses and rock garden (22 plants)
Questions about Field poppy
- How far apart should I plant Field poppy?
- About 20 cm (8 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 15–30 cm (6–12 in).
- Does Field poppy need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Field poppy need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Field poppy?
- It tolerates about -10 °C (14 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Field poppy flower?
- About 10–14 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Field poppy poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not well documented; for dogs not well documented; for people mildly toxic. Latex contains mild alkaloids; ripe seeds are edible but other parts should not be eaten.
- What grows well with Field poppy?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Field 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).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Self-seeds on disturbed soil.
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
- Bleeding heart Lamprocapnos spectabilis
- California poppy Eschscholzia californica
- 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