California Poppy Facts: The State Flower That Closes Every Night
Every evening, a field of California poppies does something quiet and strange. The bright orange petals fold inward, the cups close, and the whole hillside goes from glowing to dull green. The next morning, when the sun hits the flowers, they open again like nothing happened.
That daily routine is one of the best-known habits in the plant world, and it is only the start of the story. Below you will find the facts about California's state flower: where the name comes from, what it has to do with gold, when to see the best blooms, what the rules are about picking them, and how the California poppy compares with the other poppies you may know.
Why does the California poppy close at night?
The petals respond to light and temperature. When the sun is out and the air is warm, the petals open wide. When the light fades, or when the day is cold, windy or overcast, they fold back up. Botanists call this movement nyctinasty, and it is shared by a number of plants, including tulips and crocuses.
The likely benefit is protection. A closed flower keeps pollen dry from dew and rain, and it keeps the warm center of the flower from losing heat on a chilly night. Insects that pollinate poppies, mainly bees and beetles, are active in the warm part of the day, so the flower is open when it needs to be and tucked away when it does not. The plant does this every day for the life of each bloom, and each flower lasts only a few days.
Where does the name come from?
The scientific name is Eschscholzia californica. The genus honors Johann Friedrich von Eschscholtz, a Baltic German doctor and naturalist who visited California in the early 1800s on a Russian expedition. Early Spanish settlers called the flower copa de oro, or "cup of gold," and some said that the hills glowed so brightly that sailors could spot the coast by the orange color. Whether or not that story is exact, the glow is real, and the link with the Gold Rush era helped the poppy become a symbol of the state.
California made the poppy its official state flower in 1903. April 6 is celebrated as California Poppy Day, and the flower appears on state parks signs and merchandise all over the state.
California poppy facts at a glance
- Color. Usually bright orange, although yellow, cream, pink and red garden varieties exist.
- Height. Most plants are 6 to 24 inches tall.
- Life cycle. Perennial in mild climates, but often grown as an annual and reseeds easily.
- Drought tolerance. High. It is a native plant that handles dry summers well.
- Bloom time. Spring and early summer in the wild, and in gardens it can bloom for months.
- Safety. The California poppy is in the poppy family, but it is not the opium poppy. It is legal to grow and is not a narcotic plant. If you have pets, check with your vet before planting anything they might chew.
When is wildflower season in Orange County and the rest of California?
Poppy blooms depend heavily on rainfall. After a wet winter, the coastal hills, foothills and inland valleys can be covered in orange from March through May, with the peak often in late March and April. After a dry winter, the display may be thin or skip a year. Cooler coastal areas bloom later, and inland and desert areas often bloom earlier.
The most famous place to see them is the Antelope Valley California Poppy Reserve north of Los Angeles, but you do not need to go that far. Open spaces and regional parks in Orange County and many other coastal counties show wildflowers in a good year. Check the park's own website before you go, because bloom reports are updated through the season and trails sometimes close to protect the flowers.
Can you pick California poppies?
On public land, usually no. Removing plants and flowers is prohibited in California state parks and reserves, and many county and regional parks and federal lands have similar rules. The reasons are practical. A poppy that is picked cannot set seed, and a million visitors picking a few flowers each can wipe out a hillside. Stepping off the trail to take photos also crushes the plants around it. Stay on the path, take pictures and leave the flowers where they are.
Picking on private land with the owner's permission is a different matter, but even then, the flowers do not last. Poppy stems are thin and fragile, and a cut poppy often wilts within a few hours. That is why you almost never see them in a florist's shop. If you want poppy blooms in a vase, the better choice is a closely related flower, such as the Iceland poppy, which is grown commercially as a cut flower.
How to grow California poppies at home
California poppies are among the easiest wildflowers to grow, and the secret is to leave them alone. They want sun, lean soil and little water.
- Sow in fall or early winter. In mild California climates, scatter seed directly on loose soil when the rains begin. Seedlings appear in a few weeks and bloom in spring.
- Do not transplant. The plants have a long taproot and dislike being moved. Direct sowing works best.
- Skip the rich soil and fertilizer. Good garden soil makes the plants leafy with fewer flowers.
- Water lightly. Water new seedlings, then ease off. Overwatering can cause rot.
- Let some go to seed. The seed pods split open when ripe and fling the seeds away, so you get a new crop next year without doing anything.
Keep in mind that poppy seed sold for wildflower mixes may include non-native varieties. If you care about native plants, look for seed labeled Eschscholzia californica from a California native plant nursery.
California poppy compared with other poppies
| Poppy | Colors | Good as a cut flower? | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|
| California poppy | Orange, yellow, cream, pink | No, wilts in hours | State flower, closes at night, easy to grow |
| Iceland poppy | Yellow, orange, white, pink, peach | Yes, with extra care | Papery petals, popular in spring bouquets |
| Oriental poppy | Red, orange, pink, white | Sometimes, short life | Large flowers with dark centers |
| Corn poppy (Flanders) | Red | Rarely | Symbol of remembrance in many countries |
| Opium poppy | White, pink, purple | Seed pods only | Restricted in many places, do not grow |
What does a poppy mean?
Poppies carry several meanings depending on the place. In the Victorian language of flowers, red poppies stood for consolation, and in many countries the red corn poppy is a symbol of remembrance. The California poppy is more cheerful. Its orange color brings warmth, optimism and a link with the sunny side of California life. A gift of poppy-colored flowers, such as orange roses or ranunculus, is a happy choice for a birthday or a new job. For more on how colors carry meaning, see what rose colors mean.
California poppy FAQ
Why do California poppies close at night?
The petals fold up in response to fading light and cooler air. Closing protects the pollen and keeps the center of the flower warm until the sun returns.
Is it illegal to pick California poppies?
It is illegal in California state parks and reserves, and many other public lands have the same rule. Picking on private land requires the owner's permission.
When do California poppies bloom?
Wild poppies usually bloom from March to May in a normal rain year, with the peak in late March and April. Garden poppies can bloom longer.
Are California poppies poisonous or illegal?
The California poppy is a different species from the opium poppy and is legal to grow. It is not known as a dangerous plant, but if a pet chews on it, call your vet.
Can I put California poppies in a vase?
You can, but they usually wilt within hours. For a poppy look that lasts, choose Iceland poppies from a florist.
The short version
- The California poppy has been the state flower since 1903 and closes at night and on cold days.
- Wildflower season peaks in March and April after a wet winter.
- Do not pick wild poppies in parks and reserves. Take photos and stay on the trail.
- They are easy to grow from seed in sun and lean soil and reseed on their own.
- For a vase, choose Iceland poppies or other orange flowers instead.
If you want that same California sunshine indoors, ask a florist for warm orange and yellow blooms. FlowerEase opens on November 21 with same-day delivery in 3-hour windows from a florist near the recipient. In the meantime, see what is blooming now in our guide to November flowers in season, or read the peony facts for another flower with a short, spectacular season.
