Should I soak the tubers before planting?

Yes, soaking them in water for a few hours helps them wake up and sprout faster.

Do they need full sun?

They prefer full sun to light shade for the best bloom production.

Plant guide

Poppy anemone.

Anemone coronaria

Pronounced uh-NEM-uh-nee kor-oh-NAIR-ee-uh

Also known as Lilies of the field, Poppy Anemone, Spanish marigold, lilies-of-the-field, poppy-flowered anemone, wind poppy

The poppy anemone is a charming tuberous perennial that brings vibrant color to your garden in early spring. It features delicate, poppy like flowers held on slender stems above ferny foliage. These beauties are perfect for adding a splash of cheer to borders or containers.

At a glance

Care level: Moderate
Plant type: Tuberous perennial
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Indoor light: Bright indirect
Water: Every 5 to 7 days
Mature size: 12 to 18 inches
Growth rate: Medium
Hardiness: USDA 7 to 10
Bloom time: Late winter to mid spring

Care

Plant your tubers in well draining soil with the eyes facing upward to ensure healthy growth. Keep an eye out for yellowing leaves, which often signal that the soil is staying too wet. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage the plant to put energy back into its roots for next season.

Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy while the plant is actively growing.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.
Pruning: Snip off faded flowers regularly to keep the plant looking tidy and encourage more blooms.
Repotting: Repot your anemones after the foliage has died back completely if they become too crowded in their container.
Soil: Well draining, humus rich soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: -5 to 30°C
Humidity: 40 to 60%
Drought tolerance: Moderate
Lifespan: Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

roots growing out of the drainage holes
water sitting on the surface of the soil
stunted growth during the active season

Safety

People: The plant contains protoanemonin, which can cause skin blistering and internal distress if consumed.
Pets: This plant is toxic to cats and dogs if ingested, potentially causing irritation or digestive upset.
Children: Keep this plant away from children as the tubers are toxic if eaten.
Contact allergens: Handling the plant may cause skin irritation or dermatitis in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: The pollen is not typically considered a major airborne allergen.
Edibility: All parts of this plant are toxic if ingested and can cause severe stomach irritation.

How to identify it

Deeply divided fern like leaves
Cup shaped flowers with dark centers
Stems grow from tuberous roots
Petals in shades of red, blue, white

Height: 0.2 to 0.4m
Spread: 0.15 to 0.25m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: red, blue, white, pink, purple, 5 to 8cm

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Powdery MildewCommon
Botrytis BlightUncommon
Root RotUncommon
Slugs and SnailsUncommon
Tuber RotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: division, seed
When to plant: autumn
Overwintering: In colder climates, lift the tubers after the foliage dies back and store them in a cool, dry place. In mild climates, they can remain in the ground with a light layer of mulch.
In containers: They grow well in pots provided the container has excellent drainage and is at least 20 cm deep.

Tuber Division

1. Wait until the foliage has completely yellowed.
2. Carefully dig up the tubers.
3. Gently separate the offsets.
4. Replant immediately in well-drained soil.

Plant these in groups of at least ten to create a significant visual impact in your garden beds.

Grows well with

Tulip · They share similar soil and light requirements for spring color.
Narcissus · These bulbs bloom at the same time and create a lovely spring display.

Similar species

Japanese Anemone · It is a taller, late-summer blooming relative.

Science

Family: Ranunculaceae
Genus: Anemone
Order: Ranunculales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Mediterranean region
Conservation: It is not currently listed as endangered, but wild populations should be respected.

It thrives in well-drained, rocky soils and goes dormant during the hot, dry Mediterranean summer.

Value to wildlife: early season nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies
Uses: cut flowers, spring borders, rock gardens

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 7/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 6/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 6/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Should I soak the tubers before planting?: Yes, soaking them in water for a few hours helps them wake up and sprout faster.
Do they need full sun?: They prefer full sun to light shade for the best bloom production.

Where the name comes from

The name Anemone is derived from the Greek word anemos, meaning wind, as the flowers appear to dance in the breeze. Coronaria refers to the crown-like appearance of the flower center.

Good to know

The name Anemone comes from the Greek word for wind.
These flowers are often called windflowers.
They are native to the Mediterranean region.

Also in

Plants toxic to cats and dogs

Keep your poppy anemone growing

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.