How to Grow Chelidonium Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Celandine Poppy and Tetterwort

Plants belonging to the Chelidonium genus are weedy hardy perennials or biennials. They tend to reach an height of between 60 cm and 1.2 m (2 to 4 feet).

They have green leaves, and bloom with yellow flowers from spring to summer.

Some common names for members of this genus include Celandine poppy, Tetterwort, Celandine, and Greater Celandines.

Chelidonium majus
Chelidonium majus by Mick Talbot.

Chelidonium
Chelidonium (Greater Celandine) by Franco Folini.

Chelidonium Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Celandine, Celandine Poppy, Greater Celandine, Tetterwort.
Life Cycle: Hardy perennial. Hardy biennial.
Height: 12 to 48 inches (30 to 120 cm).
Native: Europe, Western Asia.
Family: Papaveraceae.

Growing Region: Zones 4 to 8.
Flowers: Spring through summer.
Flower Details: Yellow. Four petals.
Foliage: Bright green. Lobed. Wavy edges.

Sow Outside: Seeds: Surface. First month of spring or in autumn. Seeds should first be sown into flats. Next sink the flat into the ground in an area that offers shade, preferably close to a wall that faces north. Provide a glass/plastic covering. Transplant seedlings to final location when they look strong. Germination time: one month to one year. Spacing 12 inches (30 cm).
Sow Inside: No

Requirements: Full sunlight or shade. Moist soil. Chelidonium looks after itself – may grow wild and weedy; self seeds. More plants can be propagated by division in autumn (cool areas) or spring (warmer areas).
Miscellaneous: Invasive plant in many areas. Has many herbal uses, these include removing warts, narcotic use and to relieve toothaches.

How to grow Celandine Poppy - Chelidonium

Chelidonium should be grown outdoors. Seeds should be sown on the surface of flats in either the autumn or early spring. The flats should be set in a shaded location (North facing), and be covered in glass.

Once seedlings appear, they should be transplanted at a spacing of about 30 cm into either a shaded or sunny part of the garden. This should have a moist soil.

Caring for Chelidonium

Chelidonium plant species self seed, thus they may require weeding to control them in the garden.

I hope that you found this guide on how to grow Chelidonium plants in your garden. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow Poppies, Glaucium plant, and Blue Poppy plants.

How to Grow Chelidonium Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Celandine Poppy and Tetterwort

Chelidonium Growing and Care Guide

How to grow Celandine Poppy - Chelidonium

Caring for Chelidonium

Genus Index C