Botanical Name: Eschscholzia californica

Benefits & Uses of California Poppy: Anxiety, Head Ache, Migrane, Nervine, Relaxant, Sedative, Sleep

Key Actions: Analgesic, antispasmodic, anxiolytic, nervine, sedative, relaxant, nervine

Parts used of California Poppy: Flower Heads, Roots, Aerial Parts, Leaves

Ways to Prepare California Poppy: Tea, Tincture

Recipes in Books:
Herbal Revolution, Kathi Langelier - Don't just Grin + Bear It Tincture p.156, Emotional Well Being Tincture + Tea for a Miscarriage or Abortion p.99, Sleep Support Tincture for Perimenopause + Menopause p.108, Sleep Elixir p.141
Healing Herbal Infusions, Colleen Codekas: CA Poppy Tincture for Relaxation p.132

Growing
California Poppy

Plant Type:
Annual

Days to Maturity:
55 - 90 days

Sun Exposure:
Full Sun

Plant Zone:
5-9

Soil Ph:
Acidic, neutral

Plant Height:
12-18"

Bee Pollinator

Start Seeds Indoors

Deer Resistant

Plant Maintenance: Low

Drought Tolerant

When to plant outdoors: After last frost

Easiest To Grow From: Seed

Growing Tips: It's fairly easy to grow California Poppy from seed. They do not transplant as they don't do well if their roots are disturbed. If you grow them in containers they will need to be watered more frequently.

Fertilizing: If growing as an annual, no fertilization is needed.

Seeds & Companion Plants

Ease of Growing from Seed: Easy

Seeds can be saved. How To Save Seeds: Californai Poppies have a seed pod in the center of the flower after it has been pollinated. When this pod is dried and cracks easily, the seeds are ready to be collected. For greater detail visit mrbrownthumb.blogspot.com

Harvesting & Preserving

Pruning Tips: Leave some of the heads on for reseeding for the next season.

Harvesting Tips: Deadhead the flowers to create more blossoms.

**When foraging for wild herbs, be sure to pay attention to where you are getting it from. Be cautious about harvesting plants grown in potentially contaminated areas like roadsides, driveways, unfamiliar terrain, and areas that may have been sprayed with herbicides.

Pets & California Poppy

Benefits for Dogs: None that I'm aware of

If ingested: It can be toxic to dogs in large doses

How California Poppy can be used for pets: None that I'm aware of

Cautions when using California Poppy with pets:
If they eat any out of your garden, monitor them for vomiting or lethargy. Some say it's toxic, but most likely only in large doses.

California Poppy Videos

How to Prune California Poppies

How To Grow Golden California Poppies