Corn Poppy in Zone 5a & 5b
Papaver rhoeas
When to plant corn poppy in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates in our data, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. Corn Poppy doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 26–May 3 |
| Estimated bloom | Jul 25–Aug 1 (~90 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: 4 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 1-2 ft.
Corn poppy is the classic red field poppy of European farmland, a fast, easy annual that self-sows so readily once established that a single good year of blooms often leads to volunteers coming back on their own.
How corn poppy fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Corn Poppy needs about 90 days from sowing to first harvest.
Good companions
No standout companions recorded yet for Corn Poppy.
Where to buy corn poppy seeds
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing corn poppy" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Full companion planting guide · Full plant profile · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Corn Poppy in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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