How to Germinate Poppies Indoors

The poppy is the most popular wildflower in North America according to the National Garden Bureau, and the distinctive bright flowers add color to any garden. They’re also popular with insects because they provide a source of nectar for passing butterflies and bees. As befits a wildflower, poppies germinate well outdoors, but you can also germinate them indoors for planting outside later. This may be a good choice for you if you live in an area prone to late frosts that would damage the young plants.

Poppy seeds
Biodegradable pots
Soil
Compost
Water
Plastic or cling film

Instructions

- 1
  Find out when the last spring frost date is for your area and work back between six to eight weeks to calculate when to sow your poppy seeds. If you’re in Tennessee, you should sow the seeds in mid-March, but the date is likely to be later if you live further north.
- 2
  Purchase biodegradable pots if you plan to move the seedlings outside later. Poppy seedlings do not transplant well and biodegradable pots let you plant the seedlings outside without removing the pot. The pot will disintegrate over time.
- 3
  Fill the pots with soil. Poppies tolerate most types of soil as long as it is well-drained. Adding a little compost to the soil will help with drainage and increase the chances of successful germination.
- 4
  Moisten the soil when you’re ready to sow.
- 5
  Scatter a few seeds over the surface of the soil. Don’t overdo it or you will have to remove most of the seedlings later.
- 6
  Scatter a thin layer of vermiculite or germinating mix over the seeds. Spray some water over everything to add a little more moisture.
- 7
  Attach a layer of plastic or cling film over the top of the pot. This seals in moisture and helps the seeds to germinate. Leave the pots in a sunny spot such as a windowsill. The seeds should germinate between seven to 14 days after sowing.

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