Papaver nudicaule
Flowers

Iceland Poppy

Papaver nudicaule

Iceland Poppy · Light: Full sun · Water: Moderate. Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.

LightFull sun
WaterModerate
DifficultyEasy to moderate
CategoryFlowers
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Climate matters. This page is a practical baseline. Confirm cultivar, local frost/heat conditions, mature size and regional restrictions before planting.

Iceland Poppy — Growing reference

Scientific namePapaver nudicaule
Seed germination (days)10–14
Soil temperature for germination (°C)10–15.6
First harvest or flowering (days)90–120
Measured fromSeed
Plant spacing (cm)22.9–30.5
Mature height (cm)30.5–61
Mature spread (cm)15.2–22.9
USDA hardiness zones2–10
LightFull sun
WaterModerate
Sowing methodDirect sow

Growing directions

Surface-sow or barely cover seeds on well-prepared, fine-textured soil; seeds need light and cool temperatures (50–60°F) to germinate — warm soil prevents germination. Plants grow as basal rosettes through winter in mild climates before sending up slender stems topped with large, tissue-paper flowers in spring. Iceland poppies are cool-season plants that stop flowering when summer heat arrives; in cold climates treat them as an early-spring annual with fall-sown or indoor-started transplants set out very early. Harvest cut flowers when buds are just beginning to crack open color and sear stem ends in boiling water to maximize vase life.

Source and local conditions

Typical planning ranges from OpenPlantDB (CC0). Cultivar, climate, season and growing method can change these values. Confirm the seed label and local guidance before planting.

OpenPlantDB · iceland-poppy

Source & verification

OpenPlantDB · CC0

Open reference source ↗