Guide to growing Horned poppy (Glaucium)

The Glaucium genus contains plants such as the Horned poppy and Sea poppy.

As Glaucium is a large genus it contains hardy annuals, biennials and perennials; though in reality most gardeners treat Glaucium as annuals or biennials.

Glaucium reach a height of 30 to 90cm and have flowers reminiscent of poppies; these may be yellow, gold or orange.

How to grow Horned poppies

It is best to grow horned poppies outdoors from seeds; lightly cover the seeds once sown. Sow biennial Glaucium towards the end of spring; sow annual Glaucium just after the last frost; sow perennial Glaucium in autumn or just after the last frost of spring. Glaucium usually take two or three weeks to germinate, though some species can take as long as a year. If planning to grow indoors then Glaucium germination will occur in the dark and at a temperature of 15 to 18 degrees centigrade.

Glaucium should be spaced at between 30 and 60cm apart. Glaucium such as horned poppies like to grow in sunny areas that have good drainage to produce a dry soil.

Caring for Glaucium

Apart from supplying a very light fertiliser at the start of the year you will find that horned, sea poppy and other Glaucium will basically look after themselves.