Annual · Papaveraceae family
Common Poppy
Papaver rhoeas
In short a 10-second read
Common Poppy (annual) grows to 0.23–0.45 m tall and 0.15–0.3 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil. It flowers in June–August; the flowers are red, purple or white.
× spread 0.15–0.3 m
Where to plant
Sun and soil.
It grows best in full sun, in dry to average soil.
Sun
Elsewhere it will grow less well.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: moderate
Soil: loamy, sandy
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
June–August · red, purple or white
Planting
direct sowing: March–April
Winter protection
does not overwinter
What to combine it with
Same needs, different flowering.
They share the same sun and soil and flower in other months — so the bed flowers for longer.
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does Common Poppy flower?
In June–August; the flowers are red, purple or white.
Does Common Poppy tolerate shade?
No, it needs full sun.
How much space does Common Poppy need?
At maturity 0.15–0.3 m wide and 0.23–0.45 m tall; recommended spacing 25 cm.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 18 expert sources. Last checked 20 October 2026.
Show sources (18)
- GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Papaver rhoeas
- GBIF Occurrence Search API — Papaver rhoeas
- GBIF Vernacular Names API — Papaver rhoeas
- Wikidata (CC0) — Papaver rhoeas
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Papaver rhoeas
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — papaver rhoeas
- Pladias — Databáza českej flóry a vegetácie
- EPPO Global Database — Papaver rhoeas
- RHS - Papaver rhoeas
- RHS - Papaver rhoeas 'Flanders'
- RHS - How to grow annuals and biennials
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EASIN, EU, Slovakia, Czechia, Germany, Poland, Denmark
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