Argemone mexicana (Mexican Prickly Poppy)
Mexican Prickly Poppy, Mexican Prickly Poppy, Yellow Prickly Poppy
Argemone mexicana (Mexican Prickly Poppy) is an upright, prickly, annual or biennial boasting bright yellow, poppy-like flowers, 2.5 in. across (6 cm), with numerous yellow or reddish stamens. Blooming for weeks from mid-spring to early summer, the showy blooms sit atop smooth or slightly prickly stems. Resembling thistle leaves, the bluish-green leaves are toothed, spiny, and adorned with conspicuous gray-white veins. All parts of the plant release a milky latex sap when damaged. Easy to grow, deer resistant, Mexican Prickly Poppy will reseed and colonize, maintaining its presence in the garden. Its showy flowers make it a bright addition to the wildflower garden.
- Grows up to 8-18 in. tall (20-45 cm) and 4 in. wide (10 cm).
- Performs best in full sun in light well-drained soils. Deer resistant.
- Propagate by seed.
- All parts of this plant are extremely toxic.
- Native to tropical America.
- Argemone mexicana is reported as invasive in many countries in Asia, Africa, the Caribbean and Americas, and Oceania (Australia and a number of Pacific island states).
Buy Argemone mexicana (Mexican Prickly Poppy)
Requirements
| Hardiness | 2
– 11 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 1
– 11 |
| Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
| Plant Type | Annuals |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early) |
| Height | 8" – 2' (20cm – 60cm) |
| Spread | 4" (10cm) |
| Spacing | 4" (10cm) |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Drought |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Prairie and Meadow |
Alternative Plants to Consider
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While every effort has been made to describe these plants accurately, please keep in mind that height, bloom time, and color may differ in various climates. The description of these plants has been written based on numerous outside resources.
Requirements
| Hardiness | 2
– 11 |
|---|---|
| Heat Zones | 1
– 11 |
| Climate Zones | 2, 2A, 2B, 3, 3A, 3B, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, H1, H2 |
| Plant Type | Annuals |
| Exposure | Full Sun |
| Season of Interest |
Spring (Mid,Late) Summer (Early) |
| Height | 8" – 2' (20cm – 60cm) |
| Spread | 4" (10cm) |
| Spacing | 4" (10cm) |
| Water Needs | Low |
| Maintenance | Low |
| Soil Type | Sand |
| Soil pH | Acid, Neutral |
| Soil Drainage | Well-Drained |
| Characteristics | Showy |
| Tolerance | Deer, Drought |
| Garden Styles | Informal and Cottage, Mediterranean Garden, Prairie and Meadow |
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