Callirhoe Involucrata Care: Growing Wine Cup Plants

Callirhoe involucrata (kal-ir-OH-ee in-vol-yoo-KRAY-tuh) is a wildflower in the mallow family (Malvaceae) of plants. It is also commonly called Purple Poppy Mallow or Wine Cup. 

The plants’ genus name is in honor of the Greek river god, Achelous. The specific epithet refers to the involucre (ring of bracts) which surrounds the flowers.

Pink flowers callirhoe involucrataPin
Wine Cup Flowers | Valeriy_Lushchikov-DepositPhotos

This pretty wildflower is native to Northern Mexico and many parts of the United States. 

Callirhoe Involucrata Care

Size & Growth

The plant may grow to a height of 6” to 12” inches, with a spread of 6” inches to 3’ feet.


The foliage grows in a mound about 6″ to 9” inches high. The stems tend to ramble and spread. The leaves are divided in a palmate fashion with between 5 and 7 leaves per lobe.

Flowering & Fragrance

Wine Cups bloom time is from the month of May through June. The flowers are solitary and cup or chalice shaped. Each five petaled, magenta flower is about 2 1/2 inches wide. 

The flowers bloom continuously on tall, thin stems that stand above the foliage. 

Light & Temperature

These showy wildflowers do well in a full sun setting.

This native plant is winter hardy in USDA hardiness zones 4 through 8.

Watering & Feeding

Water requirements are low to medium, so these native plants are excellent for naturalizing.

No fertilizer is necessary for soil with plenty of organic matter. A compost mulch applied before the start of winter is welcome.

Soil & Transplanting

Callirhoe Mallow does well in many types of soil, and growing conditions including:

  • Shallow
  • Rocky
  • Dry or low soil moisture

The main thing to remember is that well drained soil is a must.

Poppy Mallow has long taproots which make it extremely drought tolerant. It is very hard to successfully transplant established plants.



Grooming & Maintenance

These pretty wildflowers naturally provide an abundance of blooms throughout the spring and summer months, and you can increase this by regular deadheading.

How To Propagate Callirhoe involucrata 

Wine cup seeds may be directly sown into prepared soil early in the springtime. Once established, the plant will self seed under ideal conditions.

Callirhoe Involucrata Pests or Diseases

These wildflowers are quite resistant to diseases and insect pests. If kept in poorly draining soil, root rot can be problematic. In damp conditions, slugs may also be a problem.

Is Callirhoe Considered Toxic or Poisonous?

Wine Cups are non-toxic and make a good groundcover in areas where pets and kids may be playing. They are deer resistant.

Is Callirhoe Invasive?

Poppy Mallow is native to North America and is nonaggressive and not invasive.

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Suggested Callirhoe involucrata Uses 

Mallow involucrata callirhoe grows naturally in fields and prairies and does quite well in rocky soil. In areas where the plant is native, it is typical to see it growing merrily along the roadside.

Its ability to thrive in rugged conditions makes Wine Cup an excellent ground cover, especially in a naturalized setting. 

Also consider adding these hardy wildflowers to border plantings, rock gardens, and meadows. Because of their sprawling growth habit, and make a pretty ornament for a rock wall.