Also known as Poppy Mallow · 295 gardener saves
Callirhoe: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Callirhoe, the genus most gardeners know as poppy mallow. We track 7 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 7 most-saved Callirhoe varieties
Of 7 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedPurple Poppy Mallow
Callirhoe involucrata
#2 most savedPurple Poppy Mallow
Callirhoe involucrata 'var tenuissima'
#3 most savedPale Poppy Mallow
Callirhoe alcaeoides 'Logan Calhoun'
Bush's Poppy Mallow
Callirhoe bushii
Purple Poppy Mallow
Callirhoe involucrata 'Wine Cups'
Purple Poppy Mallow, Wine Cups
Callirhoe involucrata 'tenuissima'
Woodland Poppy Mallow
Callirhoe papaver
How to grow Callirhoe
What the Callirhoe varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 7 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Callirhoe year
- PlantMarch, April and September100% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall; ensure deep, well-drained soil for taproot
- PruneJuly71% of varieties
Cut back old foliage in late winter to make way for new growth.
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March57% of varieties
Cut back old, sprawling stems to the ground before new growth starts
Do
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Water regularly during dry spells 🌱
- Prune after flowering to shape the plant
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Prune lightly after flowering
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not fertilize in late fall
- Neglect pruning after flowering ❌
- Overwater to avoid root rot ❌
What goes wrong with Callirhoe
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue on leaves, distorted growth | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled foliage | Use horticultural oil or miticides |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Use neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Root rot | Wilting, blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root Rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
Making more Callirhoe
Cuttings
- Take softwood cuttings in late spring
- Dip in rooting hormone
- Place in moist soil, keep humid for 6 weeks
Seeds
- Tuck seeds into soil in early spring
- Keep soil moist for 2 weeks
- Germination occurs in 2-3 weeks
Callirhoe questions
How many types of Callirhoe are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 7 distinct Callirhoe varieties. The most popular — ranked by 295 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Callirhoe grow in?
Across its varieties, Callirhoe covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Callirhoe bloom?
Most Callirhoe varieties bloom in late spring, early summer, late spring to late summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Callirhoe should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Callirhoe in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
