Mexican prickly poppy

Argemone mexicana

AnnualPapaveraceae

Mexican prickly poppy
Deer-resistantDrought tolerantSalt tolerant
USDA zones2 to 11
SunNeeds full sun (6+ hours)
WaterHandles dry to moderate soil
Size12 to 24 inches tall
Growth rate
Moderate
Habit
Herb
Bloom season
Spring, summer
Bloom color
Yellow
Foliage color
Blue, gray/silver, green
Soil types
Sand
Soil pH
Acid, neutral

Garden uses

Low maintenanceXeriscape

Attracts

Bees

Notes

Mexican prickly poppy (Argemone mexicana) is an annual for low maintenance beds and xeriscape. This plant likes full sun and dry to average, sandy soil. Deer usually look elsewhere for a meal. It grows 12 to 24 inches tall and blooms yellow in spring and summer. The flowers are about 2 1/2 inches across, and bees visit them. The sap is bright yellow, and the deeply lobed leaves look whitish green.

Pairs well with Double Zahara Cherry zinnia, Red fescue, and Rock soapwort.

Native range

AL, AZ, CT, DC, and 25 more places. See all 29

AL, AZ, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, IA, IL, IN, KS, LA, MA, MD, MI, MO, MS, NC, NE, NJ, NY, OH, PA, SC, TN, TX, VA, and VT.