California Poppy Seeds – 50 Orange Eschscholzia Californica Wildflower Seeds for Pollinator Gardens

California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) is a beloved wildflower native to the western United States, famous for its brilliant orange, cup-shaped blooms that open in full sun and close in the evening or on cloudy days. This drought-tolerant annual (often grown as a perennial in mild climates) brings a cheerful, naturalized look to meadows, wildflower patches, borders, and pollinator gardens. Its silky petals and feathery blue-green foliage create a soft, airy texture that pairs beautifully with other low-water plants.

Easy to grow from seed, California Poppy is a favorite for xeriscapes, roadside plantings, and container gardens. The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, making it an excellent choice for supporting pollinators. Whether you are planting a native wildflower meadow or adding a splash of color to a sunny slope, these seeds offer a rewarding and low-maintenance option.

Plant Features

• Produces vibrant orange, cup-shaped flowers that bloom profusely in full sun
• Drought tolerant once established, ideal for water-wise landscapes
• Attracts bees, butterflies, and other pollinators
• Self-seeds readily, returning year after year in suitable climates
• Feathery, blue-green foliage adds fine texture to garden beds

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Eschscholzia californica
• Plant Type: Annual wildflower (perennial in mild winter areas)
• Sunlight: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil; tolerates poor soil
• Water Requirements: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
• Growth Habit: Upright, clump-forming, 12–18 inches tall
• Bloom Season: Spring through summer, often longer in mild climates
• USDA Hardiness Zones: 6–10
• Spacing: 8–12 inches apart

Planting & Care

California Poppy seeds are best sown directly in the garden in early spring or fall, as they resent transplanting. Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Scatter seeds lightly on the soil surface and press them in gently; do not cover deeply, as light aids germination. Keep the soil evenly moist until seedlings emerge, which typically takes 10–15 days. Once established, water sparingly—these plants prefer drier conditions and may rot in consistently wet soil.

Thin seedlings to the recommended spacing to allow good air circulation. Deadhead spent flowers to prolong bloom, or allow some seed pods to mature and self-sow for a naturalized look. In hot climates, provide afternoon shade if possible. California Poppies are generally pest-free and deer-resistant, making them a low-maintenance choice for wildflower gardens and pollinator habitats.

What's Included

50 California Poppy (Eschscholzia californica) seeds.