How Do I Grow California Poppies in Florida?

California poppies, known botanically as Eschscholzia californica, are annual wildflower plants prized for their attractive grayish-green foliage and colorful blossoms which bloom in vibrant shades of red, orange or yellow. Native to California, California poppies grow best in United States Department of Agriculture (USDA) plant hardiness zones 5 through 10. Though the state of Florida is outside of California poppy’s usual growing range, Florida’s humid subtropical and tropical climates are well-suited for growing California poppy and other wildflowers.

Difficulty:

Moderately Easy

Instructions

things you’ll need:

• 1 packet California poppy seeds
• Salt or pepper shaker
• Horticultural sand
• Garden hose
• Peat moss

1. Pour one full packet of California poppy seeds into an old salt or pepper shaker. Add a 1/2 cup of horticultural sand and stir until the sand and seeds are well combined. Screw the top back on to your salt or pepper shaker.
2. Select a suitable planting location for your California poppies in your Florida garden or home landscape. Look for a location that will provide your poppies with six or more hours of direct, full sunlight per day and offers well-draining soil. Note that choosing a full sun planting location is essential to successfully cultivating California poppies in Florida.
3. Water your planting area thoroughly before sowing your California poppy seeds to ensure that the soil is thoroughly moistened. Wait for the water to be thoroughly absorbed by the soil.
4. Broadcast the California poppy seed and sand mixture evenly over the moist, but well-drained, soil at your planting location. Cover the surface of the soil with a 1/4-inch layer of peat moss.
5. Water your California poppies light only when there has been no rainfall for more than a week. Note that California poppies do not perform well in frequently moist soils.

Tips & Warnings

• Remove dead blossoms from your California poppies, as needed, to maintain an attractive appearance and extend their blooming period.

• Avoid planting California poppies in poor-draining soil as the seeds may fail to germinate.