Common Mallow
Malva sylvestris
An herbaceous plant featuring rounded to lobed leaves with serrated margins, prominent venation, and a central upright stem in its early growth stage.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
- Water
- Moderate water needs; drought tolerant once established. Water deeply when the topsoil feels dry to the touch.
- Growth
- Herbaceous perennial or biennial growing with an upright or spreading habit, reaching a mature height of 2 to 4 feet and a spread of 1 to 2 feet with a moderate growth rate
Care instructions
Grow in well-drained soil with a spot receiving ample sunlight. Water regularly during dry spells while allowing the top layer of soil to dry between waterings. Apply a balanced fertilizer sparingly during the active growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily
Watering
Moderate water needs; drought tolerant once established. Water deeply when the topsoil feels dry to the touch.
Soil
Adaptable to most well-drained soils, preferring loamy or sandy substrates with a neutral pH range between 6.0 and 7.0
Hardiness zone
USDA zones 4 through 8, demonstrating good winter cold resilience
Growth habit
Herbaceous perennial or biennial growing with an upright or spreading habit, reaching a mature height of 2 to 4 feet and a spread of 1 to 2 feet with a moderate growth rate
Bloom season
Flowers from late spring through late summer, producing distinctive five-petaled pink to purple blossoms with darker veins
Propagation
Propagated easily from seeds sown directly in spring or via stem cuttings taken during the growing season
Common pests & issues
Generally resilient, but may occasionally be affected by rust fungus or powdery mildew in humid conditions, managed by ensuring good air circulation
Similar species
Other Malva species and related genera in the Malvaceae family, distinguished primarily by precise floral characteristics and leaf lobe depth