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Description
Opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), commonly known as the breadseed poppy, is a striking, hardy annual grown both as an ornamental plant and for its edible poppy seeds. Thriving in full sun, it is prized for its large, colourful blooms and attractive, sculptural seed pods, which add character to flower borders and cottage gardens.
Poppy seeds are widely used in cooking around the world. They have a mild, creamy, nut-like flavour and are commonly sprinkled onto breads and pastries, milled with sugar as a sweet filling, or dry roasted and blended with ground coconut to form a rich curry base or flavourful curry paste.
The flowers are also valuable to wildlife, attracting a variety of pollinating insects such as bees and hoverflies, while the ripe seed heads provide food for garden birds later in the season.
How to Identify
Opium poppies produce tall, upright stems topped with large, papery flowers in shades of white, pink, red, purple, or lilac. Once the petals fall, they develop distinctive, rounded seed pods with a flat crown, filled with thousands of tiny blue-grey seeds. The leaves are smooth, bluish-green, and slightly waxy, clasping the stem in a loose rosette.
How to Grow
Opium poppies are easy to grow from seed and prefer light, well-drained soil in a sunny position. Scatter seeds directly where they are to grow in spring or early autumn, as they do not transplant well. Cover poppy seeds lightly with soil and water gently. Papaver somniferum needs very little maintenance. Simply deadhead flowers for a longer display, or allow pods to mature if you wish to collect seed.
Important: Although the seeds are edible and safe when processed, other parts of the plant contain opium alkaloids and can be harmful if eaten. For this reason, the plant should be grown for ornamental or culinary seed use only and kept out of reach of children and pets.
