Also known as Poppy Mallow · 366 saves
Callirhoe
Callirhoe, the genus most gardeners know as poppy mallow. We track 9 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 6 most-saved Callirhoe varieties
Browse all 9 Callirhoe varieties →
5 species of Callirhoe
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Callirhoe in Sow
Save the Callirhoe you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Callirhoe
Whats common across all Callirhoe varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 9 most-grown of them.
The Callirhoe year
- PlantApril, May and October78% of varieties
Plant in spring or fall; ensure deep, well-drained soil for taproot
- Spring CleanupMarch and April56% of varieties
Cut back old, sprawling stems to the ground before new growth starts
- PruneAugust56% of varieties
Cut back old foliage in late winter to make way for new growth.
- DeadheadJune–September33% of varieties
Remove spent blooms to encourage continuous flowering through summer
- PropagateOctober33% of varieties
Propagate via root cuttings, as division is difficult due to deep taproot
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 |
| Generally pest-free | No significant insect damage is typical | Monitor only; no routine treatment needed |
| Slugs | Young spring shoots are completely eaten down or destroyed as they emerge. | Apply organic iron phosphate slug bait around the crown in early spring, or use physical barriers. |
| Root rot | Wilting, blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Root Rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Improve drainage and reduce watering |
| Crown rot | Collapse at the base in poorly drained soil | Improve drainage or replant on a slope or raised bed; affected plants rarely recover |
Making more Callirhoe
Seed
- Sow fresh seed in autumn or after a cold period.
- Sow direct where plants are to grow if possible.
- Thin seedlings rather than transplanting them.
Cuttings
- Take softwood cuttings in late spring
- Dip in rooting hormone
- Place in moist soil, keep humid for 6 weeks
Callirhoe questions
How many types of Callirhoe are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 9 distinct Callirhoe varieties. The most popular — ranked by 366 real gardeners — 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, late spring to late summer, early 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.