Common mallow.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial herb

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

3 to 4 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 8

Bloom time

Late spring to early autumn

Care

Plant this in a spot that gets plenty of sunshine and keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Keep an eye out for rust on the leaves, which can happen if the air circulation is poor. Deadheading spent blooms will encourage the plant to keep producing flowers throughout the season.

Watering

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

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.

Pruning

Trim back faded flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming.

Repotting

Repot if the plant becomes root bound or if you notice growth slowing down significantly.

Soil

Well draining, fertile soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.5

Temperature

-30 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Short lived perennial, typically 2 to 4 years.

Deer and rabbits

Moderate

Safety

People

This plant is generally considered non toxic to humans.

Children

The plant is not considered dangerous, but children should be supervised to prevent ingestion of seeds or foliage.

Contact allergens

Handling the foliage may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

Pollen may trigger mild allergic reactions in those sensitive to mallow family plants.

Edibility

While leaves and flowers are edible, avoid consuming plant material that has been treated with pesticides.

How to identify it

• Five petaled purple flowers
• Dark purple veins on petals
• Rounded, palmately lobed leaves
• Hairy stems and foliage

Height

0.6 to 1.2m

Spread

0.45 to 0.9m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

purple, pink, 3 to 5cm

Fruit

brown, Late summer

Problems to watch for

• Mallow Flea BeetleCommon
• Powdery MildewCommon
• RustCommon
• AphidsUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

Cut back dead stems in late autumn. Provide a light mulch if you live in a region with very cold winters.

In containers

It grows well in large containers of at least 30 centimeters in diameter.

Plant mallow in sunny spots with good air circulation to reduce the risk of rust disease.

Grows well with

• Lavender · They share similar sun and drainage requirements.
• Sage · Both plants benefit from well drained soil and full sun.

Similar species

• Musk Mallow · It has a similar growth habit but with more deeply dissected foliage.
• Hollyhock · It is a taller relative with a similar flower structure.

Science

Family

Malvaceae

Genus

Malva

Order

Malvales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Europe, North Africa, and parts of Asia.

Conservation

This species is widespread and not of conservation concern.

It thrives in disturbed soils and hedgerows where it can easily colonize open spaces.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, larval host plant

Pollinators

bees, butterflies

Uses

ornamental border, edible flowers, herbal tea, pollinator garden

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is common mallow a perennial?

It is typically grown as a short lived perennial or biennial.

Does it self seed?

Yes, it often spreads readily by dropping seeds in the garden.

Where the name comes from

The name Malva comes from the Greek word malakos, meaning soft, referring to its soothing properties. Sylvestris means of the woods or wild.

Good to know

• The seeds are often called cheeses due to their round, flat shape.
• It is a close relative of the hibiscus and hollyhock.
• The plant has been used as a food source during times of famine.