Gigantheum Opium Poppy Seeds

Common Names
Gigantheum Poppy, Opium Poppy, Poppyseed Poppy, Poppy.

Botanical Name
Papaver somniferum

Plant Family
Papaveraceae (Poppy Family)

Life Cycle
Annual

Native Range
Mediterreanean

Hardiness Zone
2-11

Habit
Large seed heads begin growing after the petals drop off, and swell to 4” in diameter. Light grey-green leaves with gorgeous ornamental-looking flowers in pink, purple, lavender, white and red two-toned hues. To 5ft tall and 1ft wide.

Sun/Soil
Full sun, regular garden soil.

Germination/Sowing
The seeds can be scattered directly on the ground in the fall or early spring. They can also be started in flats in the spring and transplanted out, but the seeds need cool soil to germinate (so don’t start indoors or with bottom heat).

Growing/Care
Opium Poppy's do best grown in regular veggie-garden type conditions with good soil and regular waterings throughout the season. They will self-seed for continuous successions.

Harvesting
N/A

Culinary Uses
Edible seeds are easily collected and used for baking traditional poppy seed cakes and breads. 

Medicinal Uses
Once common in the household medicine chest, it is now illegal to extract the medicinally potent sap of the ripe seed heads. Sedative and analgesic, Robert Bulwer-Lytton, the Victorian poet, likened the effect to having one's soul rubbed down with silk. 

Themes
Attracts Pollinators, Deer Resistant, Apothecary Garden, Container Garden, Low Maintenance, Cut Flowers.