Beginners Guide: How to Grow Poppies Indoor From Seeds
Poppies have become a favorite flower of mine and I look forward to the days when their pods begin to open. Other gardeners plant their seeds in the cold winter months, only to find them pop up with little help come late spring. Unfortunately, these results may not happen for everyone. While you can depend on mother nature to grow these beautiful blooms, growing indoors can give you more control over the timing and placement of your plants. It can encourage them to grow up a little quicker than normal.
Why Poppies Need Cold
Poppies are a unique flower in that, they need to go through cold stratification. Going through 14-30 days of cold temperatures ( below 42 degrees) is the special trigger for poppy seeds to come out of dormancy and germinate. Warm climates won’t have the seasonal cold temperatures which give your seeds time to stratify and then germinate. It’s important for those who live in these warmer zones that don’t experience winter cold, to create their own stratification process.
Preparing to Sow Seeds
The best way to have good germination rates ( how many grow from seed) is to put your seeds through a stratification process. If you live in a mild climate or keep your seeds indoors, you’ll need to give your seeds time in cold. This could be as simple as keeping them in the refrigerator or freezer for 14-30 days. If you live in a colder climate, storing them in an outside shed over winter should do it.
Things You’ll need
Planting Soil
Having fertile soil is important for this planting. I like to use seed starting soil (it helps boost the growth for a short time before seedlings can be transplanted) or potting soil. I don’t recommend planting straight into dirt as your success rates will go down due to different bacteria, bugs or disease which the seedings can’t fight off at such a young age. For the best results use prepared soil.
Do make sure, no matter what soil you use, it has good drainage. Well-drained soils are a must to prevent your seeds from drowning!
Seed Trays and Containers
Whether you use a soil blocker as I do, you plant in individual containers, or a large tray, you will need holes for your soil to drain excess water and a tray to catch that water.
I pack my soil into a soil blocker which makes several soil blocks to plant into. The water drains straight onto the tray below.
I’ve also filled small containers with soil and placed them on trays. Either way will work!
Poppy Seeds
Of course you can’t plant poppy seeds without the seeds themselves! I recommend you purchase seeds from a local seed company because this increases chances of the poppies growing well in the climate specific to your region. I’ve also had great success with Baker Creek seeds. My favorite varieties are at the bottom of this post!
Water
The first time watering your seedlings should be with a spray bottle or watering can with a shower spout. This prevents too much water while also keeping seeds safe and protected from harsh water weight. Pouring too much water can dump seeds out of correct soil positioning or remove them completely if using soil blocks.
Grow Light or Southern Facing Window
After planting you’ll want a designated place set aside to grow your poppy plants. In the northwest United States, I’ve had more luck with grow lights than windows. If you opt for using a window, make sure it gets full sun and has southern exposure.
Planting your Poppy Seeds Indoors
Ok. Let’s get planting!
After allowing your seeds a cold stratification period as mentioned above, collect your seed starting materials. The best time to start this process is early spring 4-6 weeks before your last frost date.
Because poppies produce such tiny seeds you don’t need to make holes for the seeds. Just sprinkle the tiny poppy seeds over the surface of the soil. Lightly water with a spritzer or spray bottle to keep soil damp.
Make sure you allow your seeds to have contact with sunlight. They need it to grow.
Caring for your Poppy Seedlings
Situate your newly planted poppy seeds in a south facing window with direct sunlight or under a grow light. Check it daily to make sure the soil stays damp from regular watering. As the poppy plants grow, they will need more water so adjust amounts by using a watering can.
You may need to separate plants if they are bunched together by replanting them in new seedling containers. Poppies can be transplanted outside when they are about 6 inches and all danger of frost is gone.
Favorite Poppy Varieties
A plethora of poppy species bring me awe come late spring and early summer each year. Some are casual but delicate, others are clothed like a queen in ruffles. Each variety has it’s own beauty and come in a variety of colors and each make good cut flowers to add to your bouquets! Without further ado, here are my favorite types of poppies.
The Shirley Poppies
The Papaver Rhoeas or “common poppy” is anything but in my opinion! A Double Shirley mix will give pastels and shapes unique and celebratory in style.
This year I’m adding the “Falling in love” variety which is a mix of coral, rose, salmon and cerise colored flowers.
Top in this category is the Amazing Grey Poppy! I love the dignified watercolor tinted blooms of this unique flower. From dark grey to light lavender, the petals are almost tissue paper frill.
Breadseed Poppies
I have way too many of these! Also known as the opium poppy, Papaver Somniferum seeds tend to look full. Their seed pods are large which makes seed saving a breeze. My favorites are the Flemish Antique pink puff balls, Florist Pepperbox for bright color and the Frosted Salmon Peony Poppy for it’s HUGE coral blooms. I love grabbing various colors to plant and watching the show of rainbow shades bloom!
Oriental Poppies
Though I’ve grown many sturdy orange oriental poppies ( the Papaver Orientale) and love to share their seed heads ( I believe I have the “Beauty of Livermore” type) I’m more drawn to salmon and coral colors. These are perhaps the best poppies as far as flower production!
Because of this, I hope to start a “Maiden’s Blush” salmon colored bloom this year. Unlike the above varieties which are perennial plants, the oriental poppy is one of the few to return year after year! These annual poppies are low maintenance and they produce so many poppy flowers on just one plant!
Let me know how your poppy growing goes! Happy Gardening!
