Also known as California Poppy · 315 gardener saves
Eschscholzia: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Eschscholzia, the genus most gardeners know as california poppy. We track 13 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Eschscholzia varieties
Of 13 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedApricot Chiffon California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica 'Apricot Chiffon'
#2 most savedCalifornia Poppy 'Alba'
Eschscholzia californica 'Alba'
#3 most savedTufted Poppy
Eschscholzia caespitosa
California Poppy 'Strawberry Fields'
Eschscholzia californica 'Strawberry Fields'
Purple California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica 'Purple Gleam'
Yukon Gold California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica 'Yukon Gold'
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica
California Poppy 'Cherry Swirl'
Eschscholzia californica 'Cherry Swirl'
California Poppy 'Red Glow'
Eschscholzia californica 'Red Glow'
California Poppy
Eschscholzia californica 'maritima Coastal Form'
Champagne Californian Poppy
Eschscholzia californica 'Champagne'
California Poppy 'Rose Chiffon'
Eschscholzia californica 'Rose Chiffon'
Browse all 13 Eschscholzia varieties →
How to grow Eschscholzia
What the Eschscholzia varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 13 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Eschscholzia year
- PlantFebruary, March, September and October100% of varieties
Sow seeds directly in early spring or fall; dislikes transplanting
- DeadheadMay–July85% of varieties
Remove spent blooms to prolong flowering and limit excessive self-seeding
Do
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Provide full sun for optimal flowering
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming
- Water consistently during dry spells 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t plant in heavy, poorly-draining soil
- Do not disturb roots during flowering
- Don’t disturb roots during flowering
What goes wrong with Eschscholzia
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Use insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled foliage | Use neem oil spray |
| Spider mites | Webbing and speckled foliage | Increase humidity and apply insecticidal soap |
| Leaf miners | Serpentine trails on leaves | Apply organic insecticides or remove affected foliage |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply organic fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
Making more Eschscholzia
Cuttings
- Take semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Keep in warm, bright location for 4-6 weeks.
Seed sowing
- Tuck seeds shallowly into moist soil in early spring.
- Maintain soil moisture for germination, which takes 2-3 weeks.
Eschscholzia questions
How many types of Eschscholzia are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 13 distinct Eschscholzia varieties. The most popular — ranked by 315 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Eschscholzia grow in?
Across its varieties, Eschscholzia covers USDA Zones 5–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Eschscholzia bloom?
Most Eschscholzia varieties bloom in early summer, late spring, late spring to summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Eschscholzia should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Eschscholzia in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
