I'm curious if the poppy seeds sold in the grocery store's spice section can actually grow into a poppy plant that produces opium. Is there any chance they would have the same properties as the seeds specifically sold for that purpose?
3 Answers
Nope, those grocery seeds won’t do the trick! They're treated differently, so you won't get the right plant from them. If you’re serious about growing opium poppies, look for specific seeds online. Just be aware that they need cold weather for germination, and transplanting can be tricky due to their tap root.
You might want to skip using those grocery store seeds. They are often treated to remove the alkaloids and won’t grow into opium poppies. If you’re interested in growing Papaver somniferum for legitimate gardening purposes, you can find specific seeds online for about $3. Keep in mind, though, that while possessing seeds is legal, producing opium is illegal in the U.S., so be careful with your plans!
Actually, yes, technically speaking, all varieties of Papaver somniferum can produce alkaloids, which could include those in opium. But I wouldn’t recommend pursuing that. Just know there's more to the plant than meets the eye!
Yeah, it's an interesting point that all kinds of opium poppies can have alkaloids. It's just a matter of what you're looking to do with them!