How to Cut Poppy Flowers

Poppy flowers have been enjoyed for thousands of years and are an ideal cut blossom when preparing an indoor arrangement or creating a bouquet. These large flowers can vary in height from 12 inches to 4 feet tall, with a span up to 7 inches wide and come in an array of vibrant shades, from the darkest red to the lightest cream. Knowing how to properly cut your poppy flowers ensures that the blossoms bloom indoors and thrive as long as possible as a cut flower.

Gardening gloves

Scissors or knife

Boiling water or match

Cold water

Put on a pair of gardening gloves before you attempt to cut your poppy flowers. When poppies are cut, they excrete a liquid that can be irritating to the skin.

Wait for the poppy flower to be right at the point before it blooms, which is when it stands up straight and is slightly colored with its natural hue, and cut the stem with scissors or a sharp knife. Do this by gently holding the flower and then cut the stem where desired. Take care to not squish or pull the plant so as to not damage the poppy. Finding the right time to cut poppies may be tricky at first, but it allows you to watch your beautiful blossom uncurl indoors.

Treat the cut ends of the stems by placing them in boiling water for a few seconds or light a match and sear the bottoms. This step allows the poppies to last longer as cut flowers because the stems can hold in the moisture that feeds the blossoms.

Place the stems in cold water and then proceed to add the poppies to an arrangement; preferably one that has adequate flowers that can help hold up the larger poppy stems.

Plan to cut your poppies in the early morning or late evening when the stems tend to have more moisture.