Wind poppy
Papaver heterophyllum
Last reviewed: October 2026
Wind poppy (Papaver heterophyllum) is a annual forb native to CA. It blooms in March, April, and May. The flowers draw small native bees and beetles.
Toxicity unknown
Wind poppy (Papaver heterophyllum) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.
Light
full sun
Water
low
Size
8"–20" H × 6"–12" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May
Native to
CA
Pollinators
small native bees, beetles
Before you buy
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Browse plants for this ecoregion
A slender annual with finely divided leaves and delicate, satiny, orange-red flowers with a dark maroon center spot, held on thin, wiry stems that nod in the wind. Grows in grassland and open woodland on clay soils.
Growing Wind poppy
Grow Wind poppy in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 8 to 20 inches tall and spread 6 to 12 inches wide.
Wildlife value
The showy, pollen-rich flowers attract small native bees and beetles during a relatively brief spring bloom period.
Common questions
- How much sun does Wind poppy need?
- Wind poppy grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Wind poppy bloom?
- Wind poppy blooms in March, April, and May.
- Where is Wind poppy native?
- Wind poppy (Papaver heterophyllum) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What pollinators does Wind poppy attract?
- Wind poppy draws small native bees and beetles.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.
If something looks wrong
Common plant problems, and what to check first
These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Wind poppy? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.