Growing Icelandic Poppies

How to Grow Icelandic Poppies

The silky‑petalled showstoppers worth mastering

There’s nothing more magical than watching an Icelandic poppy unfurl — those crumpled, silk‑like petals bursting from a plump, furry pod. They’re one of my most requested flowers from florists and brides for a reason - they bloom early, look ethereal in bouquets, and photograph like a dream.

Among the finest is Papaver nudicaule ‘Kelmscott Giants’, a variety named after Kelmscott Manor, the Oxfordshire home of designer and writer William Morris. Just as Morris celebrated natural beauty and craftsmanship, these poppies capture that same spirit — pastel petals of coral, cream, rose, and butter yellow that feel lifted straight from an Arts & Crafts wallpaper. 

Growing Icelandic Poppies

Step‑by‑Step: How to Sow and Grow Icelandic Poppies

Timing

Sow in late summer to early autumn (Sep – Oct). They germinate quickly — often within a fortnight. Bottom heat helps but isn’t essential.

Compost

Use a sterile, low‑nutrient seed compost to reduce the risk of damping‑off. Poppies hate rich soil when young.

Sowing

Sow thinly — the seeds are microscopic and overcrowding kills air circulation.Water the compost before sowing, then sprinkle the seed evenly and don’t cover deeply; they need light to germinate. A fine dusting of vermiculite is perfect to keep them in place.

Trays

Flat trays save space, though cell trays work if you’ve got room. Just handle them gently — poppies dislike root disturbance.

Watering

Keep compost moist but never wet. Once seedlings appear, water from below rather than overhead to avoid fungal issues.

Potting On

They’re slow growers, staying tiny for weeks. Once they have true leaves, pot them individually into small cells so each can develop its taproot.

Overwintering

True to their name, Icelandic poppies like the cold. Grow them on in an unheated greenhouse or cold frame — they’ll tolerate frost. Even better - a low tunnel, so if its hot i spring you can just peel back the cover and expose them to some cooler air.

Planting Out

 Plant out in late winter; by spring warmth, they’ll surge into growth. Choose a cool, well‑drained site or an unheated tunnel. Avoid summer heat; these are early‑season bloomers that thrive before midsummer.

Cutting & Conditioning

Harvest in the cracking‑bud stage — when you can just glimpse colour through the fuzzy casing. Scald the stem ends in boiling water for 5 seconds or sear with a flame to seal the latex. Expect 5 days of vase life and plenty of swooning.

Icelandic poppies are a grower’s flower — fickle, fragile, and utterly worth the effort. With the right timing, drainage and patience, you’ll be rewarded with clouds of luminous silk petals that seem to glow from within.

They’re the flowers that stop visitors mid‑stride and make florists beg for more — and once you’ve grown them, you’ll understand exactly why.

Shop Icelandic Poppies