Aphids on Poppy Plants

Poppy plants add vibrant color to summer landscapes with their cupped-shaped flowers in gorgeous blue, pink, orange, yellow, purple or red tones. Gardeners in cooler climates typically grow annual poppies (Papaver rhoeas), while those in warmer areas often cultivate perennial varieties, including the popular California poppy (Eschscholzia californica), which thrives in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 8 through 10. Although these plants seldom attract pests, aphids occasionally enjoy feeding on young poppies.

Aphid Description

Aphids are tiny insects with mouth parts designed to pierce plant tissue and suck out the sap. The University of California reports that poppies sometimes attract melon aphids and green peach aphids. The melon aphid, sometimes called the cotton aphid, has a deep green to black body, while the green peach aphid has a yellow-green body and dark wings. In mild climates, females of both species can reproduce year-long, giving birth to live young without mating. Because adult females can produce as many as 80 live offspring within a week, populations increase rapidly and aphid infestations can quickly develop. Populations typically peak in the spring when new plant growth appears.

Signs of Aphids

Although very small insects, aphids occur in such large numbers that they can quickly damage poppy plants. Feeding aphids suck out the juices and cause stunted shoot growth and curled, misshapen or yellowing leaves. Aphids also produce an abundant amount of waste called honeydew, a sticky, sweet substance that covers poppy leaves and provides the ideal environment for sooty mold fungus, a dark growth that might interfere with photosynthesis and slow plant growth.

Aphid Control

Melon and green peach aphids require similar control methods. First, try blasting the pests off your poppy plants with a strong spray of water from your garden hose. Spray your plants early enough in the day to allow the foliage to dry off in the sunlight. Wet foliage often attracts fungal disease pathogens. If aphids still infest your poppies, spray the leaves with a solution of 2 tablespoons liquid detergent mixed into 1 gallon of water. Test the solution on a few small leaves before spraying the entire plant. Treat persistent aphid populations with an insecticidal soap or neem oil, following the instructions on the product's label.


Poppies planted in shady locations most commonly attract aphids. Reduce the risk of aphid infestations by planting your poppy in a fully sunny to partially shady site with good drainage to avoid fungal disease problems. Catch aphid infestations early by examining the leaves at least twice a week in the spring. Feed your poppy plants with an organic, time-release fertilizer rather than a synthetic, nitrogen-rich fertilizing product. Aphids reproduce more quickly in soils with high nitrogen levels.