The poppy is a flower of delicate, papery petals and deep symbolism. From the red field poppy of remembrance to the silky Oriental poppy of the border, it brings a fragile, luminous beauty to gardens and meadows.
Poppy at a glance
- Botanical name: Papaver
- Family: Papaveraceae
- Bloom season: late spring to summer
- Symbolism: remembrance, consolation, and restful sleep
About the poppy
Poppies grow from seed or fleshy roots and open their crumpled, tissue-thin flowers on slender stems, often followed by a decorative seed pod. The genus includes annuals like the red Flanders poppy and perennials like the big Oriental poppy. The California poppy, though called a poppy, belongs to a different genus.
Poppy meaning and symbolism
The poppy symbolizes remembrance, consolation, and sleep, most famously as the red poppy of Remembrance Day. It’s a secondary birth flower for August. See our poppy meaning guide for more.
Types of poppy
Popular varieties worth knowing:
- Oriental poppy (P. orientale) — large perennial with silky blooms
- Iceland poppy (P. nudicaule) — delicate, pastel, short-lived
- Flanders / corn poppy (P. rhoeas) — the red field poppy
- California poppy (Eschscholzia) — a related golden wildflower
How to grow and care for poppy
A few essentials keep this flower thriving:
- Sow seeds directly where they are to grow, as poppies dislike transplanting
- Give full sun and well-drained soil
- Water sparingly once established
- Let some pods ripen and self-seed for next year
- Deadhead annuals to prolong the display
Poppy FAQs
Are all poppies the same?
No. ‘Poppy’ covers several plants: annual field poppies, perennial Oriental poppies, delicate Iceland poppies, and the California poppy, which is a related but different genus.
When do poppies bloom?
Most poppies bloom from late spring into summer. Annual field poppies flower for a few weeks, while perennial Oriental poppies bloom in early summer, then die back.
Are poppies annual or perennial?
Both. Field and Iceland poppies are annuals or short-lived, while Oriental poppies are hardy perennials that return each year from fleshy roots.
Explore more
Browse more flower profiles, learn about flower meanings, or find your birth flower.