Tree poppy
Romneya coulteri
Also called Californian tree poppy, Matilija poppy and Fried egg plant
Garden plant · ShrubsFamously sulky for two or three years and then unstoppable — it runs by suckers and is very hard to remove, so give it a hot dry corner it can have. Never dig round it: root disturbance is what kills a young one.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Hard
- Water
- Every 12 daysDrench and drain — water the whole surface until it runs from the holes.
- Light
- Full sun, against a warm wall
- Feed
- Not needed
- Humidity
- Low
- Hardiness
- Hardy — an average winter RHS H4, to -10°C
- Size
- 2.5 m tall · 3 m across
- Lifecycle
- Shrub
- Origin
- Southern California and Baja California
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsNothing recorded against it
No animal-poison authority lists this plant either way.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-09-22. Where a source says nothing, we say nothing.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.
First signs of trouble
- A plant that does almost nothing for two or three seasons after planting. This is normal and is not a reason to move it — moving it is what kills it. Leave it entirely alone and it will suddenly go.Sulking for years · disorder
- Shoots coming up several feet away, through paving and into neighbouring plants, once it has settled. It is very hard to remove afterwards, so the corner it is given should be one it can keep.Suckers where they are not wanted · disorder