Even if you only have a balcony to work with, you don’t have to miss out on the stunning beauty of Plume Poppy (Macleaya). This graceful plant actually does surprisingly well in containers! However, there are a few specific things to keep in mind when growing it in a pot versus in the ground. Read on to find out how to keep your potted Plume Poppy happy and healthy all season long.
The Perks of Container Gardening
If you’ve only ever seen Plume Poppy growing wild in fields or sprawling across large estates, you might be surprised to learn it’s a great candidate for a large pot. In fact, growing it this way actually saves you a ton of work because you don’t have to worry about installing root barriers.
While we all love those gorgeous, lobed leaves and airy reddish-bronze flowers, this plant is a notorious “garden thug.” It spreads aggressively through both self-seeding and underground runners, often crowding out other perennials in a flower bed. By keeping it in a container, you keep those wandering roots exactly where they belong.
Tip: A potted Plume Poppy isn’t just eye candy for your patio or balcony—it’s a fantastic natural privacy screen. In the right spot, these beauties can reach heights of up to 10 feet!
Planting and Care Guide for Containers
Choosing the Right Spot
To get those iconic blooms, you need to pick the right location. Luckily, Plume Poppy isn’t too picky:
- Protected from heavy winds
- Full sun to partial shade
- Perfect for patios, balconies, or framing an entryway
Pot and Soil Requirements
Your potting mix should be:
- Loose and airy
- Rich in nutrients
- Consistently moist, but never soggy. Make sure your pot has excellent drainage to prevent root rot. Most importantly, choose a deep container! In the wild, Plume Poppy develops a long taproot that can reach up to 6 feet deep. While it won’t go quite that far in a pot, it still needs plenty of vertical “leg room” to thrive.
Maintenance Tips
Whether in the ground or in a pot, Plume Poppy is a pretty low-maintenance guest. Aside from regular watering, it doesn’t ask for much. I recommend a bit of fertilizer every two weeks leading up to the blooming period to really make those flowers pop. Once the blooming is over, cut the plant back to about 4 inches above the soil and move it to its winter quarters.
Tip: Plume Poppy is very sensitive to late frosts when it’s first starting to sprout. To be safe, wait until the threat of frost has completely passed in the spring before moving your pot outside for the season.