Purple Poppymallow Plant Care

Purple Poppymallow (Callirhoe involucrata) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Callirhoe genus. Purple Poppymallow is native to the Great Plains of the United States and adjacent areas in northern Mexico. Purple Poppymallow is also known as Hairy Poppymallow, Common Poppymallow, Winecup.

Purple Poppymallow displays a low spreading ground cover growth habit, reaching up to 0.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Purple Poppymallow produces showy cup-shaped flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Purple Poppymallow every 7–14 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Purple Poppymallow thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Callirhoe involucrata tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Purple Poppymallow prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Purple Poppymallow to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Purple Poppymallow every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy loam with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Purple Poppymallow is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Purple Poppymallow can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Purple Poppymallow while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Purple Poppymallow is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Purple Poppymallow can be propagated through seeds, division of roots. Similar propagation techniques also apply to bush's poppy mallow plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Purple Poppymallow is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Purple Poppymallow grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Purple Poppymallow is native to the Great Plains of the United States and adjacent areas in northern Mexico. In cooler regions, grow Purple Poppymallow as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.