Side by side
Pick two or three seeds to see how they grow, side by side: sprouting, spacing, sun, water, frost and pet safety in one table.
Comparing Common Mallow vs. Balloon Flower
The comparison
| Fact | | |
|---|---|---|
| Difficulty | Moderate | Moderate |
| Life cycle | Perennial | Perennial |
| Sun | Full sun | Full sun, partial shade |
| Water | Moderate | Moderate |
| Frost tolerance | Hardy | Not yet verified |
| Links |
Up close
What each one is, in a few lines, with the full growing guide one click away.
FlowersMalva sylvestris
Common mallow (Malva sylvestris) is an erect perennial that grows 1 to 1.5 metres tall, with pink flowers in summer and autumn. It is propagated by seed and is listed for full sun.
How to grow common mallowFlowersPlatycodon grandiflorus
Balloon flower (Platycodon grandiflorus) is a perennial that is easy to grow from seed in full sun to partial shade. Plants are slow to establish and emerge late in spring.
How to grow balloon flowerKeep comparing
Add a third seed, or swap one for a close relative from the same category.
Common Mallow vs. Balloon Flower vs. African DaisyAdd african daisy as a third
Common Mallow vs. Balloon Flower vs. African MarigoldAdd african marigold as a third
Common Mallow vs. Balloon Flower vs. AgeratumAdd ageratum as a thirdCommon Mallow vs. African DaisyCommon Mallow against another flowerBalloon Flower vs. African DaisyBalloon Flower against another flowerCommon Mallow vs. African MarigoldCommon Mallow against another flowerThe table, row by row
Every row is a fact from each seed's own profile, lined up so the differences stand out.
Germination time and temperature
How many days the seeds take to sprout, and the temperature range they sprout in.
Sowing depth and spacing
How deep to sow each seed and how far apart the plants should grow. “On the surface” means the seed isn't covered.
Days to maturity and life cycle
How long until the plant is ready, counted from sowing or from transplanting (each value says which). Annuals live one year, biennials two, perennials longer.
Sun and water
Full sun means 6 or more hours of direct sun a day, partial shade a few hours. Water needs are rated low, moderate or high.
Containers, frost tolerance and soil pH
Whether it grows in a pot, with the smallest pot when it's known. Frost tolerance runs from tender (no frost) to hardy. Soil pH 7 is neutral.
Toxicity to cats and dogs
Whether the plant is toxic to cats and dogs.
Quick wins
Days from sowing until the first shoots appear, in good conditions.
Pet friendly
Listed as non-toxic to both cats and dogs. Each seed's page has the details.
Not safe for pets: borage, buckwheat, caraway, carnation and 14 more.
Comparing
Each seed's page explains how to grow it from seed, with facts researched and reviewed by our editors.
