One of the most beautiful flowers you can grow in your garden is the Iceland poppie, which has petals that look like thin sheets of paper. They are hardy perennials that do best in cool climates, even though they are often grown as annuals. If you take good care of these poppies, they will bloom happily from late spring to early summer.
If you want to grow Iceland poppies successfully, this guide has everything you need to know, from picking the right variety to planting and moving them to fixing common problems. Growing these beautiful flowers is a lot of fun, no matter how much experience you have with gardening.
Selecting the Best Iceland Poppy Variety
Iceland poppies come in a beautiful range of colors, such as white, bright red, pink, orange, and yellow. Many people like “Champagne Bubbles” and “Gartford Giants,” which come in a packet with a lot of different colors.
For growing cut flowers, I recommend the large-flowered ‘Colibri’ series. These were bred just for the flower business, and their long, strong stems make them perfect for arrangements. Their big, frilly flowers, which can be up to 4 inches across, look great in a vase.
Dwarf varieties like ‘Wonderland Mix’ are ideal for containers and rock gardens. At just 10-12 inches tall, these compact plants are covered in a profusion of cheerful little flowers.
No matter which type you choose, look for “primed” seeds, which have undergone a special pre-treatment to enhance germination rates. This gives you the best chance at success when starting Iceland poppies from seed.
When and How to Plant Iceland Poppy Seeds
Spring or Fall Planting
You can sow Iceland poppy seeds directly in the garden in early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Or, for best results, plant them in the fall so they can get established before winter arrives.
Well-Drained, Nutrient-Rich Soil
Poppies need soil that drains well but also holds some moisture. Amend planting areas with compost or other organic matter to enrich the soil with nutrients.
Direct Sowing Outdoors
Sow seeds right on top of the soil and lightly cover with 1⁄4 inch of fine soil or seed starter mix. Keep the area moist until seedlings emerge in 1-2 weeks.
Starting Indoors
You can also start seeds indoors 6-8 weeks before your last frost date. Use sterile seed starting mix and keep it lightly moist. Move outdoors after seedlings form 2-4 true leaves.
12-18°C for Germination
Maintain a soil temperature of 55-65°F for best results. You can use a heat mat or grow lights to create ideal conditions.
Transplant with Care
Poppies have delicate root systems and don’t transplant well. Consider sowing seeds in biodegradable pots that can be planted right in the ground without disturbing the roots.
Caring for Iceland Poppies Throughout the Season
Location and Light
Grow Iceland poppies in full sun to partial shade. At least 6 hours of direct sunlight is ideal. Provide afternoon shade in hot climates.
Watering Needs
Keep soil moist but not saturated. Allow it to dry slightly between waterings. Avoid overhead watering that can damage the flowers.
Fertilizer for Growth
Iceland poppies thrive with regular feeding. Use a balanced fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season.
Pruning for Shape
Remove spent flowers and any damaged leaves or stems to keep plants looking their best. This encourages new blooms too.
ideal Temperatures
These cool weather lovers can tolerate cold and light frosts. But they decline rapidly in heat above 70°F, especially if it’s humid.
Good Air Circulation
Space plants at least 6 inches apart for airflow that prevents fungal disease issues like botrytis blight.
Keep an Eye Out for Pests
Watch for aphids, slugs, snails, and other bugs. Take action early before they damage plants. Neem oil works great.
Encouraging Beautiful Blooms from Your Iceland Poppies
Bloom time
In most climates, Iceland poppies begin flowering in late spring and continue through early summer.
Deadheading for More Flowers
Pinch off spent blooms to encourage continuous new flowers. Don’t let seed pods form, or the plant will stop blooming.
Pick Early in the Day
Harvest poppy stems when flower buds first crack open in the morning for maximum vase life.
Cut Flowers Last 5-7 Days
Place freshly-cut stems immediately in clean water. Recut under water to prevent oozing sap. Change water every 2 days.
Pollinator Magnet
The bright, nectar-rich blooms attract bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, and other beneficial pollinators to your garden.
Lovely in Arrangements
Show off the papery single petals in simple floral designs. Iceland poppies pair beautifully with lace flower, stocks, ferns, and grasses.
Avoiding Common Pitfalls When Growing Iceland Poppies
Even experienced gardeners run into problems sometimes when cultivating finicky plants like Iceland poppies. Here are some common issues and how to prevent them:
Germination Failure
This is often due to old seeds, improper planting depth, poor drainage, or incorrect temperatures. Always use fresh primed seeds from a reputable source.
Damping Off Disease
Seedlings collapse and rot from fungal infection. Avoid overwatering, provide good airflow, and use sterile seed starting mix.
Leggy, Weak Growth
Insufficient light causes plants to stretch and flop over. Give them full sun, use a grow light, or add a fan to strengthen stems.
Wilting Plants
Underwatering or roots damaged during transplanting are common culprits. Maintain even moisture and handle new plants very gently.
No Blooms
Blooming declines in heat/humidity. Ensure correct lighting and growing conditions. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage reblooming.
Mildew or Blight
Water carefully to keep foliage dry, space plants for airflow, and apply organic antifungal options at first signs.
Growing Gorgeous Iceland Poppies Is Worth the Effort
With their delicate, colorful blooms in spring, Iceland poppies are one of my favorite flowers for brightening up any garden. Pay close attention to their preferences for cool weather, rich soil, and ample sunlight. A bit of extra care goes a long way when it comes to getting these beauties to thrive. The joy they bring is well worth it!
Seed Starting Tips:
- Iceland poppies have very small seeds that usually only sprout about 70% of the time. They are small, so it’s easy to plant too many in one cell. Be careful not to overcrowd the cells.
- To be exact, put one to two seeds in each cell with a bamboo skewer or a sharp pencil.
- Plant seeds in 128-cell trays, and after 3–4 weeks, move them to 72-cell trays. Soil blocking with 3/4-inch blocks is another great option.
I use Bootstrap Farmer’s 128-cell and 72-cell trays because they’re durable, long-lasting, and perfect for poppies and other delicate seedlings.
- Don’t bury the seeds: Iceland poppies need light to germinate. Mist seeds into place and lightly dust with vermiculite.
- Use a heating mat. A 70°F mat speeds up the process and only takes a few days.
- These poppies do best in cool weather, so planting them in late fall or early winter is the best time.
To maximize your Iceland poppy harvest, consider succession planting. Start with a fall sowing, then follow up with two additional plantings spaced four weeks apart during winter. This staggered approach ensures a steady supply of blooms from late spring into early summer, even as temperatures begin to rise.
Want to learn more about succession planting? Check out our Advanced Succession Planting Guide. It will help you plan your planting schedule so that you can get the most out of your garden all season.
Read our Seed Starting Guide to learn how to start seeds correctly and get your flowers off to a great start. Whether you’re new to gardening or an experienced grower, this guide is packed with actionable advice to make your seed starting a success!.
You know how to start seeds, but do you know when to plant Iceland Poppies? Read our guide on When to Plant: Frost Dates, Soil Temps, and Timing.
Iceland poppies starting strong—this plant is ready to deliver stunning blooms.
Once established, Iceland poppies are remarkably fuss-free. Here’s how to set them up for success in the garden:
- Space plants 6–9 inches apart. Six inches is a good distance for rows that are close together and in small spaces. However, give more space (up to nine inches) if airflow is a problem in humid places.
- Getting the soil ready: Iceland poppies like neutral to slightly alkaline (pH 6) soil. 5–7. 5). Adding compost or other organic matter to the soil before planting will help it drain better and grow more plants. This is especially important for heavier soils.
- While Iceland poppies aren’t heavy drinkers, they prefer consistent moisture. Water deeply and less frequently to encourage strong root growth. Root rot can happen if the soil stays wet for too long. Tip: Use drip tape on automation to water your plants regularly and keep them healthy. It will also save you a lot of stress.
- Low tunnels with frost cloth are enough for planting in late winter or early spring in colder places, like zone 6b. If you want to plant in the fall, double tunnels can help your plants survive snow and wind.
- To keep fungal problems from happening, make sure tunnels have good airflow, especially on warm days. Ventilate as needed to keep the microclimate ideal. Want to grow your crops longer? Our Season Extension Guide has information on how to use low tunnels, frost cloth, and other tools to keep your crops safe and help you get the most out of your harvest.
- Even though Iceland poppies don’t need much food, they still do well with regular nutrients. We usually use compost tea, fish emulsion and kelp, or a liquid fertilizer like FoxFarm Grow Big (for plant growth) or Tiger Bloom (for flower support).
- Once the plants are established, don’t use too much fertilizer because it can cause too much foliage and not enough flowers.
- Pests: Thrips, caterpillars, and earwigs can damage blooms. Spinosad or pyrethrin treatments should be started early, and good bugs like lacewings and ladybugs should be encouraged. Sticky traps can also help monitor pest levels.
- Disease: Fungal problems like botrytis can be caused by too much water or not enough air flow. Check plants often and cut off any infected stems or leaves to stop the disease from spreading.
- Heat Sensitivity: Iceland poppies like it when it’s cool at night and 70 degrees during the day. Help flowers last longer by giving them shade when it’s hot and making sure the temperature stays below 60°F at night. Mulching can help regulate soil temperature in hotter climates.
- Regular deadheading is essential to encourage continuous blooming. When you remove spent flowers, the plant doesn’t have to use its energy to make seeds. It also keeps your garden clean, which keeps disease and pests away.
- You can get the freshest flowers by picking them early in the morning or late at night, which can also be used for deadheading.
New to transplanting delicate seedlings? Check out our Transplanting Seedlings Guide for step-by-step instructions to minimize transplant shock and set your young plants up for success!
Iceland poppies in the growing patch, thriving under low tunnels in a vibrant mix of Bubbles series blooms.
Growing Iceland Poppies
Growing Iceland poppies might seem intimidating at first, but they’re surprisingly resilient and less demanding than they appear. Once you understand their needs, they’ll reward you with months of prolific blooms.
How to Grow Icelandic Poppies for the First Time – Cut Flower Garden
FAQ
Do Iceland poppies come back every year?
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Short Lifespan:Iceland poppies are considered short-lived perennials, meaning they don’t typically last for several years.
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Heat Sensitivity:They struggle with heat and humidity, making them more suited for cooler climates.
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Easy Propagation:They can be easily grown from seed, and they tend to self-seed in gardens, notes the website.
Where is the best place to plant Iceland poppies?
These perennials are also excellent deer-resistant plants. Here are the main care requirements for growing Iceland poppies: Plant in full sun to part shade. Make sure the soil is rich and well-draining.
Are Icelandic poppies easy to grow?
Growing Iceland poppies might seem intimidating at first, but they’re surprisingly resilient and less demanding than they appear. Once you understand their needs, they’ll reward you with months of prolific blooms.
What is the best month to plant poppies?
In cool and cold places, plant seeds or poppy bulbs from summer to early fall. In warm tropical and subtropical places, plant from early fall to winter. Aug 24, 2022.
Can Icelandic poppies be transplanted?
Once you’ve got the poppies all grown to their first true leaf stage, you can start transplanting them into bigger containers.
Should you pinch Iceland poppies?
Iceland poppies grow best in cooler conditions – below 70°F. Bloom production and quality declines as temperatures rise. Surface-sow and keep soil evenly moist until seedlings emerge. Pinching plants is not necessary or beneficial.
How do you plant Iceland poppies?
Iceland poppies thrive in well- drained soil that receives full sun. Follow these steps to prepare your planting site: 1. Choose a sunny spot: Select a location that receives at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. 2. Loosen the soil: Use a garden fork or tiller to loosen the soil to a depth of 12 inches. 3.
When do Iceland poppies grow?
Plant seeds in their permanent outdoor space in late winter or early spring. These plants grow very slowly, but they sprout seeds very quickly. It can take a while for them to bloom, but it usually starts in late spring or early summer. Like other poppies, Iceland poppies contain alkaloids that are toxic to humans and animals.
What are Icelandic poppies?
They come from subarctic Asia and North America and are sometimes called Icelandic poppies. They are flowering plants in the Papaveraceae family. The most popular Iceland poppy cultivar, ‘Champagne Bubbles’, gets its name from its exceptionally floaty, bright red petals.
What kind of soil do Iceland poppies need?
Provide well-draining, fertile, and moist soil. A medium that is fertile, well-draining, and moist is preferred. Iceland poppies don’t mind cool spring soils and struggle when conditions become dry and hot. The soil pH should be between 6.0-7.0. Provide wood chips or organic straw to suppress weeds, retain moisture, and provide nutrients.
Are Iceland poppies good for gardeners?
Iceland poppies are a popular choice for gardeners for several reasons: Easy to grow: These poppies are relatively low-maintenance, making them ideal for beginner gardeners. Stunning blooms: Their vibrant, silky petals come in a wide range of colors, from classic reds and oranges to delicate pinks and yellows.
Do Iceland poppies need to be irrigated?
Iceland poppies don’t require a lot of irrigating once they’re established, but they’ll yield more blooms if they aren’t left to dry out. Water at the base to avoid splashing the delicate petals. The weight of any water left on the top part of the plant may cause drooping and bending of the stem.