Also known as California Poppy · 396 saves
Eschscholzia
Eschscholzia, the genus most gardeners know as california poppy. We track 13 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 13 most-saved Eschscholzia varieties
3 species of Eschscholzia
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Eschscholzia in Sow
Save the Eschscholzia you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Eschscholzia
Whats common across all Eschscholzia varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 13 most-grown of them.
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 396 real gardeners — 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, early spring. 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.