Mexican Tulip Poppy Care: How To Grow a Mexican Tulip Poppy

Growing Mexican tulip poppies in the sunny flower bed is a good way to have long lasting color in those sometimes hard to fill areas where a medium height plant is needed. Hunnemannia fumariaefolia is low-maintenance and inexpensive when grown from seed. Let's find out more about what Hunnemannia poppies are and how to use them in the landscape.

What are Hunnemannia Poppies?

Gardeners not familiar with the Mexican tulip poppy may be wondering, “What are Hunnemannia poppies?” They are members of the Papavercae family, as are other poppies. Flowers on the 1 to 2 feet (31-61 cm.) plant are shaped like ruffle-edged tulip flowers and exhibit the delicate characteristics of the typical poppy flower. Mexican tulip poppy info indicates they are tender perennials in the warmest USDA zones and grow as annuals in areas with cold winters. Native to Mexico, growing Mexican tulip poppies is as simple as sowing seed into a sunny flower bed. Each plant forms a multi-branched clump, so allow adequate room for growth when planting. Mexican tulip poppy info also says to plant or thin seedlings to 9 to 12 inches (23-31 cm.) apart. You can also start growing Mexican tulip poppies from seedlings found at your local nursery. Mexican tulip poppy info says flowers begin to bloom in summer and in the right conditions, continue blooming until frost arrives.

How to Grow Mexican Tulip Poppy

Choose a sunny area with well-draining soil. In colder climates, sow seeds in spring when the chance of frost is past. Till soil several inches (8 cm.) deep, as Mexican tulip poppy info says the plant forms a deep taproot. As with most tap-rooted plants, growing Mexican tulip poppies don't transplant well, so plant seeds into a permanent spot in the landscape. Seeds can be started indoors in biodegradable containers four to six weeks before the last frost possibilities. Maintain temperatures of 70 to 75 degrees F. (21-14 C.) during germination, which takes 15 to 20 days. Growing Mexican tulip poppies in containers is an excellent option, as they're drought tolerant and continue to flourish in the unwatered container. Watering of all poppies should be limited, and Mexican tulip poppy info says this plant is no exception.

Other Mexican Tulip Poppy Care

Fertilization and deadheading are part of Mexican tulip poppy care. When growing Mexican tulip poppies, work organic material into the soil. This will decompose and provide nutrients. Organic mulch around growing plants feeds them as well. Remove spent blooms as needed and prune foliage that becomes tattered. Use the flowers in cut arrangements. Pinching and pruning encourages more blooms. Now that you've learned the ease of how to grow Mexican tulip poppy, add some this spring when planting your spring annuals. Sow the seed behind those colorful annuals that won't hold up to summer heat.