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California poppy (Eschscholzia californica)

Eschscholzia californica, the Californian Poppy, is a drought-tolerant herb with vibrant cup-shaped flowers (orange, yellow, cream). It is California's state flower, ofte

Above information is sourced from Wikipedia

Sunlight

Full sun is essential for best flowering.

Watering

Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established.

Soil

Well-drained, sandy, poor to moderately fertile soil.

Temperature

Prefers moderate temperatures but tolerates heat.

Habitat

Outdoor

Fertilizer

Low fertilizer needs; thrives in poor soil.

Care Requirements

Light

Full sun is essential for best flowering.

At least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily.

Water

Low to moderate; drought-tolerant once established.

Allow soil to dry between waterings.

Soil

Well-drained, sandy, poor to moderately fertile soil.

Temperature

Prefers moderate temperatures but tolerates heat.

Ideal range 15-25 °C.

Habitat

Outdoor

Fertilizer

Low fertilizer needs; thrives in poor soil.

Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers.

Plant Overview

Plant Type

Herb

Plant Category

Ornamental

Plant Place Type

Ground, Garden, Pot, Groundcover

Plant Environment

Outdoor

Lifespan

Perennials

Plant Height

0.15-0.6 m

Spread

0.15-0.3 m

Growth Rate

Fast

Dormancy

Summer dormancy in hot, dry conditions

Leaf Color

Blue-green, Grey-green

Leaf Type

Finely dissected

Flower Size

5-8 cm

Optimal Sunlight Lux

60000

Image Gallery

Synonyms
Chryseis californica (Cham.) Lindl.
Omonoia californica (Cham.) Raf.
Taxonomy
  • kingdomPlantae
  • divisionTracheophyta
  • classMagnoliopsida
  • orderRanunculales
  • familyPapaveraceae
  • genusEschscholzia
  • speciesEschscholzia californica
Toxicity

Toxic for humans

Yes

Rating: 2/5

Toxic for pets

Yes

Rating: 2/5

Edible

No

All parts of the plant contain alkaloids that can cause mild gastrointestinal upset if ingested by humans or pets. Symptoms may include vomiting, diarrhea, and lethargy.

Additional Care Tips

FAQs