Iceland Poppy
Papaver nudicaule
Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule) is a perennial usually grown as an annual, with fragrant cup-shaped flowers in summer. It is grown from seed in full sun and well-drained soil.
Quick facts
- Germination time
- 7–12 days
- Germination temperature
- 18–24 °C64–75 °F
- Sowing depth
- On the surface
- Spacing between plants
- Not yet verified
- Days to maturity
- Not yet verified
- Sun
- Full sun
Safety for cats and dogs: not yet verified.
By SeedBattle EditorsUpdated
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01 · Overview
About iceland poppy
Iceland poppy (Papaver nudicaule) is a perennial that is usually grown as an annual. It has hairy, grey-green leaves and solitary, bowl-shaped, fragrant flowers in yellow, orange, reddish or white that bloom in summer. Plants reach about 4 to 20 inches (10 to 50 cm) tall and wide.
Growing details
- Start indoors
- Not yet verified
- Sow outdoors
- Not yet verified
- Water
- Not yet verified
- Containers
- Not yet verified
- Height
- 10–50 cm4–20 in
- Spread
- 10–50 cm4–20 in
- Frost tolerance
- Hardy
- Soil pH
- Not yet verified
- Life cycle
- Perennial
- Hardiness zones
- Not yet verified
02 · How to grow
How to grow iceland poppy from seed
Sowing outdoors. Iceland poppy is propagated by seed sown in spring. It can also be direct sown in early spring, in fall or in winter. Surface-sow the seed and keep the soil evenly moist until seedlings emerge. Seeds usually come up in 7 to 12 days when the temperature is 65 to 75 °F (18 to 24 °C).
Starting indoors. You can sow into a 128-cell or other small cell tray 6 to 8 weeks before transplanting. Cover the seeds very lightly, water from below or mist them to avoid moving the seed, then harden off the seedlings before transplanting them outdoors.
Site and soil. Grow it in deep, fertile, well-drained soil in full sun. The listed soil types are chalk, loam and sand. Plants grow best in cooler conditions below 70 °F (21 °C), and bloom production declines as temperatures rise.
03 · Care
Caring for iceland poppy
Pruning. Cut the plants back after flowering.
At a glance
How iceland poppy compares with other flowers
Worked out from the growing facts of the 79 seeds in Flowers on SeedBattle.
- Iceland Poppy
- Each of the other flowers
- Their average
- Germination timeSprouts sooner than average
7–12 days
Average for flowers: 12 days, from 42 other seeds
- Germination temperatureAbout average
18–24 °C64–75 °F
Average for flowers: 21 °C70 °F, from 40 other seeds
- Sowing depthShallower than average
On the surface
Average for flowers: 4 mm⅛ in, from 25 other seeds
- HeightShorter than average
10–50 cm4–20 in
Average for flowers: 71 cm2½ ft, from 68 other seeds
04 · Problems
Common iceland poppy problems
Pests and diseases. Plants may be bothered by aphids. They may also be susceptible to downy mildews, powdery mildews, fungal wilts and Verticillium wilt.
Iceland Poppy questions
How long do Iceland poppy seeds take to germinate?
Seeds usually germinate in 7 to 12 days when kept at 65 to 75 °F (18 to 24 °C).
When should I sow Iceland poppy seeds?
Iceland poppy is propagated by seed sown in spring. Direct sowing can also be done in early spring, fall or winter.
Does Iceland poppy need full sun?
Grow it in full sun in deep, fertile, well-drained soil.
How tall do Iceland poppies get?
The mature plant reaches about 4 to 20 inches (10 to 50 cm) tall and spreads about as wide.
Quick answers
More iceland poppy questions
Short answers taken from the growing facts on this page.
How deep should I sow iceland poppy seeds?
Sow them on the surface.
What temperature do iceland poppy seeds need to sprout?
Iceland poppy seeds germinate at 18–24 °C64–75 °F.
Can iceland poppy survive frost?
Yes. Iceland poppy is hardy.
Is iceland poppy an annual or a perennial?
Iceland poppy is a perennial.
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