How to Refrigerate Poppy Seeds for Germination

Many species of poppies come from the rough terrain of Asia and Europe. Used to extreme temperatures, the perennial poppy plants, such as the Oriental poppy and the Iceland poppy, need cold stratification for their seeds to germinate in the spring and summer. If you live in a mild climate with temperatures that don’t drop down to at least 40 degrees Fahrenheit for months at a time, you can still germinate poppy seeds. You can use your refrigerator to fake the cold stratification they need for growth.