Poppy Papaver Double Somniferum Seeds

Poppy Mixed Seeds – Papaver somniferum

Poppy Double Mixed Seeds produce attractive, fully double flowers in a mixture of colours, with layers of delicate, ruffled petals. Known botanically as Papaver somniferum, this hardy annual is valued for its decorative blooms and distinctive seed heads, making it a useful addition to cottage gardens, borders and informal planting schemes.

The flowers can include shades of pink, red, purple and white, creating a varied summer display. The large, densely petalled blooms are held above upright stems and blue-green foliage, adding colour and texture to mixed flower borders.

Double Mixed Poppies are easy to grow from seed and perform well when sown directly where they are to flower. Once flowering has finished, the rounded seed capsules can be left to mature for dried arrangements or to encourage natural self-seeding.

Key Features

Produces large, fully double flowers with ruffled petals.

Mixture of pink, red, purple and white shades.

Known botanically as Papaver somniferum.

Hardy annual suitable for direct outdoor sowing.

Attractive blue-green foliage and upright stems.

Distinctive seed capsules suitable for dried arrangements.

Can self-seed naturally when allowed to mature.

Suitable for cottage gardens, borders and informal planting.

How to Grow Poppy Double Mixed Seeds

Sow Poppy Double Mixed Seeds directly outdoors from March to May, or during September to October for earlier flowering the following year.

Prepare a fine, weed-free seedbed in a sunny position with well-drained soil.

Scatter seeds thinly onto the soil surface and cover very lightly with fine soil. Poppy seeds are small and should not be buried deeply.

Keep the soil lightly moist during germination, which generally takes around 10–21 days, depending on temperature and growing conditions.

Thin seedlings carefully as they develop, allowing approximately 20–30cm between plants to provide room for healthy growth.

Poppies develop a taproot and dislike root disturbance, so direct sowing into their final flowering position is recommended.

Allow plants to flower naturally through summer. Leave selected seed heads to mature if you wish to encourage self-seeding or use the dried capsules in arrangements.

Poppy Growing Tips

Sow directly where plants are to flower to avoid disturbing their roots.

Choose a sunny position with well-drained soil.

Avoid excessive feeding, which can encourage leafy growth rather than flowers.

Thin seedlings early to prevent overcrowding.

Remove faded flowers if you want to maintain a tidy display.

Leave selected seed capsules to dry naturally for decorative arrangements.

Allow some plants to self-seed for flowers in subsequent years.

Frequently Asked Questions

Is Poppy Double Mixed an annual? Yes, Papaver somniferum is a hardy annual that completes its life cycle in one growing season.

What colours are included in Double Mixed Poppies? The mixture can produce flowers in shades of pink, red, purple and white, although the exact colour balance varies between seed mixtures.

When should Poppy Double Mixed Seeds be sown? Sow directly outdoors from March to May or during September and October for earlier flowering the following year.

Can Double Mixed Poppies be transplanted? Poppies generally dislike root disturbance because of their taproot, so direct sowing is preferable.

Will Double Mixed Poppies return each year? Although they are annuals, plants can self-seed when mature seed capsules are left in place and suitable conditions are available.

Can the seed heads be dried? Yes, the rounded seed capsules can be dried and used in decorative arrangements.

Perfect For

Cottage gardens

Garden borders

Summer displays

Informal planting

Dried seed heads

Flower arrangements

Naturalised areas

Annual flower gardens