Also known as Poppy · 1.7k gardener saves
Papaver: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Papaver, the genus most gardeners know as poppy. We track 42 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 Papaver varieties
Of 42 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedIceland Poppy
Papaver nudicaule 'Mix'
#2 most savedFalling in Love Corn Poppy
Papaver rhoeas 'Falling in Love'
#3 most savedBrilliant Oriental Poppy
Papaver orientale 'Brilliant'
Pink Iceland Poppy
Papaver nudicaule 'Champagne Bubbles Pink'
Double Atlantic Poppy
Papaver atlanticum 'Flore Pleno'
Oriental Poppy Queen Alexandra
Papaver orientale 'Queen Alexandra'
Oriental Poppy Royal Wedding
Papaver orientale 'Royal Wedding'
Ladybird Poppy
Papaver commutatum 'Ladybird'
Oriental Poppy Fruit Punch
Papaver orientale 'Fruit Punch'
Corn Poppy
Papaver rhoeas
Oriental Poppy 'Princess Victoria Louise'
Papaver orientale 'Princess Victoria Louise'
Oriental Poppy 'Beauty of Livermere'
Papaver orientale 'Beauty of Livermere'
Browse all 42 Papaver varieties →
How to grow Papaver
What the Papaver varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 40 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Papaver year
- PlantFebruary, March, September and October85% of varieties
Plant bare roots or containers in early spring or fall
- DeadheadMay and June80% of varieties
Remove spent flowers to prevent self-seeding and tidy appearance
- Spring CleanupFebruary55% of varieties
Clear away old foliage before new growth emerges in early spring
- HarvestMay–July48% of varieties
Cut stems when buds show color but are not yet open; sear stem ends for best vase life.
Do
- Apply a balanced fertilizer in early spring
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Provide full sun for optimal flowering
- Water consistently during dry spells 🌱
- Mulch around plants to retain moisture and suppress weeds
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Refrain from fertilizing late in the season to prevent weak growth
- Refrain from fertilizing late in the season
What goes wrong with Papaver
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky honeydew and distorted leaves | Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Slugs | Irregular holes in leaves | Use organic slug bait or handpick during evening. |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and stippling on leaves | Use insecticidal soap and increase humidity |
| Leaf miners | Serpentine trails on leaves | Remove affected leaves and use appropriate insecticides |
| Powdery Mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply sulfur fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting and soft roots | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering. |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
Making more Papaver
Seed
- Sow seeds on surface of moist soil in early spring.
- Cover lightly with soil and keep moist.
- Germination occurs in 2-3 weeks, take 6 weeks to establish.
Division
- Divide mature plants in early spring or fall.
- Gently separate clumps and replant immediately.
Papaver questions
How many types of Papaver are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 42 distinct Papaver varieties. The most popular — ranked by 1.7k real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Papaver grow in?
Across its varieties, Papaver covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Papaver bloom?
Most Papaver varieties bloom in late spring, late spring to early summer, mid-spring. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Papaver 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 Papaver 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.
