Common Mallow.

En un coup d'œil

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Annual or biennial herb

Light

Full sun

Indoor light

direct

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

30 cm height, 60 cm spread

Growth rate

fast

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to early autumn

Entretien

This plant thrives in full sun and tolerates a variety of soil conditions. Keep an eye out for rapid spread, as it can quickly take over garden beds. It requires very little maintenance beyond occasional removal if it becomes invasive.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer sparingly during the active growing season.

Pruning

Trim back stems to control spread and encourage bushier growth.

Repotting

Repot only if the plant becomes root bound in a container.

Soil

Well-draining, fertile soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-10 to 35°C

Humidity

30 to 70%

Drought tolerance

moderate

Lifespan

Annual or short lived perennial.

Deer and rabbits

moderate

Sécurité

People

This plant is not considered toxic to humans.

Pets

This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

The small, round seed pods could pose a choking hazard to very small children if ingested.

Contact allergens

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the foliage.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can be a minor allergen for those sensitive to windborne particles.

Edibility

While the leaves and seeds are generally considered edible, avoid harvesting from areas treated with pesticides or near roadsides.

Comment l'identifier

• rounded leaves with wavy margins
• small white to pale pink flowers
• trailing stems along the ground
• disk shaped fruit segments

Height

0.1 to 0.3m

Spread

0.2 to 0.6m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, pink, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

green, brown, Summer to autumn

Problèmes courants

• Rust — Fungal infection causing orange or brown spots on the undersides of leaves.
• Aphids — Small insects that cluster on new growth and suck plant sap.

La cultiver

Propagation

seed

When to plant

spring

Overwintering

In colder climates, the plant typically dies back to the ground and may regrow from seeds dropped in the fall.

In containers

It grows well in containers, but requires at least a 2 gallon pot to accommodate its taproot.

Plant it in areas where you want to improve soil structure, as its taproot helps break up compacted ground.

Bonnes associations

• Common Yarrow — Both plants thrive in similar sunny, disturbed conditions.
• Plantain — They often grow together in compacted soil areas.

À éloigner de

Espèces similaires

• Common Mallow — It has larger, more showy flowers than the modest Malva neglecta.
• Cheeseweed Mallow — It looks very similar but typically has a more upright growth habit.

Science

Family

Malvaceae

Genus

Malva

Order

Malvales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe, Northern Africa, and Western Asia.

Conservation

It is a widespread, common weed and is not of conservation concern.

It survives by colonizing disturbed soils and waste areas where it can quickly establish a taproot.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

edible leaves, edible seeds, ground cover

Taxonomie vérifiée avec le GBIF.

Ce qu'on demande souvent

Is Malva neglecta a weed?

Yes, it is widely considered a common weed in gardens and disturbed areas.

Can I eat the seeds?

Yes, the immature green seeds are edible and have a mild, nutty flavor.

D'où vient le nom

The genus name Malva is derived from the Greek word malache, meaning soft, referring to the soothing properties of the leaves. The species name neglecta means overlooked or neglected.

Bon à savoir

• The plant has a long history of being used as a famine food.
• It is a very resilient plant that thrives in compacted soil.
• The leaves contain mucilage which gives them a slightly slippery texture when cooked.