Common Mallow
Malva sylvestris
Also called high mallow
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.
Quick facts
- Germination time
- Not yet verified
- Germination temperature
- Not yet verified
- Sowing depth
- Not yet verified
- Spacing between plants
- Not yet verified
- Days to maturity
- Not yet verified
- Sun
- Full sun
Safety for cats and dogs: not yet verified.
By SeedBattle EditorsUpdated
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01 · Overview
About common mallow
Common mallow (Malva sylvestris) is an erect perennial that sends up flowering spikes in summer and autumn. Its flowers are five-petalled, notched and pink, grouped in the leaf axils. The leaves are rounded at the base of the plant and five-lobed on the stems. It is also called high mallow.
Growing details
- Start indoors
- Not yet verified
- Sow outdoors
- Not yet verified
- Water
- Moderate
- Containers
- Not yet verified
- Height
- 1–1.5 m3½–5 ft
- Spread
- 0.5–1 m1½–3½ ft
- Frost tolerance
- Hardy
- Soil pH
- Not yet verified
- Life cycle
- Perennial
- Hardiness zones
- Not yet verified
02 · How to grow
How to grow common mallow from seed
Sowing. No sowing time, sowing depth or germination details are available for this plant, so this page can’t say when to sow it. The plant is propagated by seed.
Site. It is listed for full sun. It grows 1 to 1.5 metres (100 to 150 cm) tall with a spread of 0.5 to 1 metre (50 to 100 cm).
Time to size. The plant takes 2 to 5 years to reach maturity, so expect slow results from seed.
03 · Care
Caring for common mallow
Soil and moisture. It is listed for chalk, clay, loam and sand soils, and for moist but well-drained or well-drained conditions.
Pruning. No pruning is required.
At a glance
How common mallow compares with other flowers
Worked out from the growing facts of the 79 seeds in Flowers on SeedBattle.
- Common Mallow
- Each of the other flowers
- Their average
- HeightTaller than average
1–1.5 m3½–5 ft
Average for flowers: 69 cm2½ ft, from 68 other seeds
04 · Problems
Common common mallow problems
It is generally pest-free. It may be susceptible to hollyhock rust, which can then spread to cultivated hollyhocks.
Common Mallow questions
How tall does common mallow grow?
It grows 1 to 1.5 metres (100 to 150 cm) tall and spreads 0.5 to 1 metre (50 to 100 cm) wide.
Does common mallow need full sun?
It is listed for full sun.
Is common mallow an annual or a perennial?
It is described as an erect perennial that flowers in summer and autumn.
How do I grow common mallow from seed?
The plant is propagated by seed, but the available page gives no sowing time or depth, so check a seed-specific guide before sowing.
How long does common mallow take to mature?
Time to maturity is listed as 2 to 5 years.
Quick answers
More common mallow questions
Short answers taken from the growing facts on this page.
Can common mallow survive frost?
Yes. Common mallow is hardy.
How much water does common mallow need?
Common mallow has moderate water needs.
Side by side
Compare common mallow with…
Two seeds, every growing fact lined up, so you can pick the one that suits your space.
Flowers
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