Species Mexican Prickly-Poppy
bright-yellow flowers with red center, yellow stamens, white-green leaves and green stems

Mexican Prickly-Poppy

Argemone mexicana

Mexican Prickly-Poppy (Argemone mexicana) is an upright, single-stemmed plant native to Mexico, California, and the southwestern United States. It grows in open, disturbed areas, and has white to yellow flowers with purple margins and spines on stems and petals. As a member of the Papaveraceae family, it produces capsules containing many seeds. It is valued for its oil, which has long been used medicinally by Native Americans. Mexican Prickly-Poppies have been used in teas, salves, ointments, and liniments for various ailments, and have also been used as a dye and a blue dye for fabrics.

Watering:

Frequent

Propagation:

Seed Propagation,Root Cutting,Division,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

Sun:

full sun

Fruits:

green,yellow,brown Fruits Ready In Summer

Leaf:

Yes

Leaf Color:

green,gray,gray

Growth Rate:

Low

Poisonous To Humans:

Yes

Poisonous To Pets:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Thorny:

Yes

Invasive:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Mexican Prickly-Poppy should generally be watered about once every week, either by sprinkling water over the entire plant or by saturating a shallow basin near the plant's roots. When watering, make sure to provide enough water so that it reaches the entire root system, including any deeper root systems. Avoid overwatering, as standing water can cause root rot. Allow the soil to dry out slightly between waterings, as this will help prevent root rot and encourage strong root development.

sunlight

Mexican Prickly-Poppy requires moderate to strong direct sunlight. It should receive at least 6 hours of sunlight a day, preferably in the morning. A south facing window or balcony would be ideal. Avoid placing it near a cold window in winter as the extra chill may damage the plant. During the summer, morning sun is best to help the plant retain moisture. If the plant is placed in an area with too much direct sunlight, the leaves may become burned. If placed in an area with too little direct sunlight, the growth of the plant may become stunted.

pruning

Mexican Prickly-Poppy (Argemone mexicana) usually does not require a lot of pruning, however it is important to trim away any dead or diseased stems and leaves to promote healthy growth. It is best to prune in early spring before the plant begins to bloom. Start by removing damaged or dead stems and leaves as close to the base of the plant as possible. Trim down any stems that are thicker, longer, or have more foliage than the rest. This will help promote healthy new growth and encourage compact, bushy foliage. After pruning, be sure to remove any stems or leaves that may have fallen near the base of the plant.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

Harvesting of Argemone mexicana typically begins in June and continues through August.