Common Mallow
Malva sylvestris
Also known as High Mallow, Large Flowered Mallow, Blue Mallow
Climate Match for your location
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A tall, upright perennial with soft lobed leaves and showy pink or purple flowers with darker veining. Tolerates poor soil and drought once established, making it excellent for naturalized or cottage garden settings.
Why grow it
Common mallow fills a niche for gardeners seeking a robust, self-seeding flowering plant that tolerates poor soil and drought better than many ornamental alternatives. Its long blooming period and relatively low maintenance needs make it useful as a filler in naturalized plantings or where soil amendment is impractical. Unlike some mallow species, it remains reasonably contained in most climates while still offering reliable color and structure.
Watch out for
Common mallow can spread readily by seed in favorable conditions, so deadheading or removal of mature seedheads helps prevent unwanted volunteers in nearby beds. Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during establishment, despite their eventual drought tolerance. The soft stems may require staking or support in windy locations or rich soils where growth becomes leggy.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Malvaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
A tall, upright perennial with soft lobed leaves and showy pink or purple flowers with darker veining. Tolerates poor soil and drought once established, making it excellent for naturalized or cottage garden settings.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Common Mallow grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Common mallow fills a niche for gardeners seeking a robust, self-seeding flowering plant that tolerates poor soil and drought better than many ornamental alternatives. Its long blooming period and relatively low maintenance needs make it useful as a filler in naturalized plantings or where soil amendment is impractical. Unlike some mallow species, it remains reasonably contained in most climates while still offering reliable color and structure.
Watch out for
Common mallow can spread readily by seed in favorable conditions, so deadheading or removal of mature seedheads helps prevent unwanted volunteers in nearby beds. Young plants benefit from consistent moisture during establishment, despite their eventual drought tolerance. The soft stems may require staking or support in windy locations or rich soils where growth becomes leggy.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Malvaceae
Native Range
Mediterranean
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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