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Argemone mexicana (Devil's fig)
2 hours care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.4m
Max spread
Max spread
1 year
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Argemone mexicana
Other names
Devil's fig, Prickly poppy, Birds in the bush, Corooko oil plant, Flowering thistle, Headache garden, Headache poppy, Infernal fig, Jamaica thistle, Mexican poppy, Mexican prickly poppy, Prickly poppy, Thistle oil plant, Yellow Mexican poppy, Yellow thistle
Genus
Argemone Argemone
Species
A. mexicana - A. mexicana is a borderline hardy, clump-forming, spreading annual with erect stems bearing elliptic to lance-shaped, spiny, deeply lobed, blue-green leaves with silver veins. Poppy-like, lightly fragrant, yellow flowers bloom in late summer and early autumn.
Argemone mexicana is: Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect
Flower
Yellow in Summer; Yellow in Autumn
Foliage
Veined, Blue-green in Spring; Veined, Blue-green in Summer; Veined, Blue-green in Autumn
How to care
Watch out for
General care
Pruning
Deadhead to prolong flowering or to prevent unwanted seedlings.
Propagation
Sow seed at 18C in spring or sow in situ in mid-spring.
Propagation methods
Seed
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Where to grow
Argemone mexicana (Devil's fig) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.4m after 1 year.
Suggested uses
Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, Containers, Beds and borders, Gravel
Cultivation
Grow in poor, gravelly or gritty soil in sun. Resents disturbance once established. Drought tolerant once established.
Soil type
Sandy, Loamy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3), Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Argemone mexicana
Other names
Devil's fig, Prickly poppy, Birds in the bush, Corooko oil plant, Flowering thistle, Headache garden, Headache poppy, Infernal fig, Jamaica thistle, Mexican poppy, Mexican prickly poppy, Prickly poppy, Thistle oil plant, Yellow Mexican poppy, Yellow thistle
Genus
Argemone Argemone
Species
A. mexicana - A. mexicana is a borderline hardy, clump-forming, spreading annual with erect stems bearing elliptic to lance-shaped, spiny, deeply lobed, blue-green leaves with silver veins. Poppy-like, lightly fragrant, yellow flowers bloom in late summer and early autumn.
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Clump-forming, Erect
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Colour
Flower
Yellow in Summer; Yellow in Autumn
Foliage
Veined, Blue-green in Spring; Veined, Blue-green in Summer; Veined, Blue-green in Autumn
General care
Pruning
Deadhead to prolong flowering or to prevent unwanted seedlings.
Propagation
Sow seed at 18C in spring or sow in situ in mid-spring.
Propagation methods
Seed
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Argemone mexicana (Devil's fig) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.4m after 1 year.
Suggested uses
Drought Tolerant, Cottage/Informal, Containers, Beds and borders, Gravel
Cultivation
Grow in poor, gravelly or gritty soil in sun. Resents disturbance once established. Drought tolerant once established.
Soil type
Sandy, Loamy
Soil drainage
Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Full Sun
Aspect
South, West
Exposure
Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Tender in frost (H3), Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 11, Zone 10, Zone 9, Zone 8
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Sandy, Loamy | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | South, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Tender in frost (H3), Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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