The opium poppy (Papaver somniferum), also known as the breadseed poppy, is one of Europe's oldest cultivated plants. You know it from the poppy seeds on your bagel, and as a garden plant with big, silky flowers. It's also the plant opium comes from, so rules apply that vary a lot from country to country. In this post you'll learn how to identify the opium poppy, how to sow it and get it to flower, and what the law says in the Netherlands and elsewhere.
What is the opium poppy?
The opium poppy belongs to the poppy family (Papaveraceae). It's an annual: it germinates in spring, flowers in summer, sets seed and then dies. In the garden it grows to about a metre (3 ft) tall. Nobody is quite sure where its wild ancestor came from, but it has been grown in Europe for thousands of years for its seed and oil as well as its flowers.
How to identify the opium poppy
- Blue-green, waxy leaves with a wavy, toothed edge that clasp the stem.
- Large single or double flowers in white, pink, red, lilac or purple, often with a dark blotch at the base of the petals.
- A smooth, round seed capsule (the pod) topped with a flat disc, like a little crown.
- Milky white sap when you damage a stem or pod.
| Plant | Features | Difference from the opium poppy |
|---|---|---|
| Papaver somniferum (opium poppy) | Blue-green, hairless leaves clasping the stem, large smooth pod | The species in this post |
| Papaver rhoeas (corn poppy) | Red, hairy, deeply cut leaves | Wild field flower, smaller pod, no morphine |
| Papaver argemone (prickly poppy) | Small orange-red flowers, long bristly pod | Wild species, much smaller and finer |
| Eschscholzia californica (California poppy) | Orange or yellow, finely divided grey-green leaves | Different genus, contains no opiates |
What does it contain?
The latex of the unripe pod contains a range of alkaloids, including morphine, codeine, thebaine, papaverine and noscapine. Dried latex is opium. The content varies a lot by variety, plant and season. Ripe seed itself contains hardly any alkaloids, but latex can stick to the outside of unwashed seed. That's why poppy seed sold as food is cleaned.
No approved health claims exist for the opium poppy or its seed.
Which seeds suit you?
| Product | What it is | Good to know |
|---|---|---|
| Papaver somniferum seeds | 20 seeds of the classic opium poppy | For growing the species as an ornamental |
| Papaver seeds Lilac Single | Variety with single lilac flowers | Plenty of seed for a whole border |
| California poppy | Eschscholzia californica, 20 seeds | Orange flowers, no opiates, easy in a pot |
| Prickly poppy | Papaver argemone, 20 seeds | Wild species for a natural garden |
You'll find more unusual species among our exotic seeds.
Sowing and growing opium poppies
The opium poppy has a taproot and hates being moved. So sow it where you want it to flower.
- Pick your moment. Sow in March or April, as soon as the soil can be worked. In mild areas you can also sow in autumn.
- Prepare the soil. Rake it fine. A sunny spot with free-draining, not too rich soil is ideal.
- Sow thinly and shallowly. The seed is tiny. Mix it with some sand, scatter it and press it in lightly. Cover it barely, if at all.
- Keep it moist. In cool spring weather the seedlings usually come up within one to two weeks.
- Thin out. Leave about 20 to 30 cm (8 to 12 in) between plants. Crowded plants stay small and fall over more easily.
Position and care
- Light: full sun.
- Water: only during long dry spells. It doesn't like wet feet.
- Feeding: not needed. Too much nitrogen gives floppy stems.
- Support: in a windy spot, a few canes or neighbouring plants help.
- Flowering: June to August. Each flower lasts only a day or two, but one plant makes several buds.
- Self-seeding: the plant self-seeds easily, so it often comes back for free the next year.
Common mistakes
- Transplanting: the taproot gets damaged and the plant stalls or dies.
- Sowing too deep: the fine seed needs light to germinate.
- Leaving plants too close: you get thin, weak plants with few flowers.
- Too much feed and water: the stems go soft and the plant flops.
- Not checking the rules first: what's allowed in one country can be illegal in another.
Safety
- Every part of the plant except the ripe, cleaned seed contains varying amounts of opiates. They're addictive, and too much can stop your breathing.
- Tea made from pods or unwashed poppy seed is especially dangerous because you can't know how much morphine is in it. Deaths have been reported.
- Never use the plant to make or take anything.
- Keep children and pets away from the plant and the pods.
Avalon doesn't give usage advice, and all our products are for adults aged 18 and over only. You'll find more background on Erowid.
Is the opium poppy legal?
That depends very much on where you live.
- Netherlands: the growing plant isn't listed as such in the Opium Act. Opium and "poppy straw" are on List I, though. The law defines poppy straw as all parts of the Papaver somniferum plant after harvesting, except the seed. So harvested pods and stems fall under the Opium Act, even if you only want them for a dried arrangement.
- Germany: growing it needs a permit from the federal opium agency (BfArM), even for a few plants in your garden. Only a few low-morphine varieties qualify.
- United States: opium poppy and poppy straw are on Schedule II of the Controlled Substances Act. As an ornamental, the legal position is less clear-cut.
- Canada: the opium poppy is a controlled substance, but the seeds are specifically excepted.
- Elsewhere: rules range from free growing as an ornamental to needing a licence. Always check before you sow.
Frequently asked questions
Are culinary poppy seeds the same as opium poppy seeds?
Yes. Blue and white poppy seeds come from Papaver somniferum. Seed for the kitchen is cleaned and contains hardly any alkaloids.
When does the opium poppy flower?
June to August. If you sow in March or April, you'll usually see the first flowers from June.
Can I grow opium poppies in a pot?
Yes, if you sow straight into a deep pot and don't transplant. It does grow better in the ground.
Does the opium poppy come back every year?
The plant itself is annual, but it self-seeds easily. New seedlings often appear the following spring.
How is it different from the corn poppy?
The corn poppy (Papaver rhoeas) has hairy, cut leaves, bright red flowers and a small pod. The opium poppy has smooth, blue-green leaves and a much bigger pod.
Where can I buy opium poppy seeds?
At Avalon you'll find Papaver somniferum seeds and the variety Lilac Single. If you want a poppy without opiates, go for the California poppy.
Sources: Dutch Opium Act List I (definitions of opium and poppy straw), German Federal Institute for Drugs and Medical Devices (Schlafmohn), Erowid Poppy Vault, Tuinadvies.be (Papaver).
