Alba California Poppy is a pristine white cultivar of the beloved California poppy, the state flower known for its papery, luminous petals that seem to glow in sunlight. This heirloom variety grows just 8 to 12 inches tall and spreads 6 inches wide, making it compact enough for containers, borders, and garden edges. From seed to first bloom takes just 56 to 70 days, rewarding gardeners with continuous flowers from spring through fall. Its drought tolerance and low water needs mean once established, it practically takes care of itself, while its deer resistance and pollinator appeal make it a thoughtful addition to any sunny garden.
8
Full Sun
Low
6-10
12in H x 6in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
The Alba California Poppy opens its silky white petals in full sun and closes them on cloudy days, creating a living reminder of the flower's sensitivity to light. Extraordinarily drought tolerant once rooted, it thrives in poor, well-drained soil where other ornamentals struggle. Its long bloom window from March through November means months of delicate flowers with minimal fuss, and it resists deer while attracting bees and other pollinators to the garden.
Alba California Poppies are grown as ornamental flowers, valued for their delicate white petals and cheerful garden presence from spring through fall. Their compact size makes them suited to border edges, rock gardens, container plantings, and wildflower meadows. Gardeners and pollinators alike appreciate them for their generous nectar production and carefree blooming habit.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
Start seeds indoors in containers 4 weeks before your last spring frost. Maintain soil temperatures between 60 and 65°F. Seeds typically sprout in 7 to 14 days. Transplant seedlings outdoors after the last frost date when soil has warmed.
After hardening off seedlings over 7 to 10 days, transplant outdoors when all danger of frost has passed. Space plants 8 inches apart and water gently to settle soil around roots.
Direct sowing is recommended and gives excellent results. Sow seeds in early spring or fall; in mild-winter areas (zones 8 to 10), late winter sowing also works well. Press seeds onto the soil surface or cover lightly to 1/8 inch depth, as light aids germination.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“California poppies have been treasured in gardens since the 19th century, when the brilliant orange wild form captivated growers worldwide. The Alba strain represents generations of selective breeding to isolate this pure white color, preserving the original wild genetics while refining the flower to a specific aesthetic. This heirloom cultivar carries forward the tradition of seed savers who recognized the Alba form's unique beauty and ensured it survived in home gardens.”