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Malva multiflora

Cretan mallow

SunFull Sun – Part Shade

Overview

Malva multiflora, also known under the name Lavatera cretica, is an annual or biennial in the mallow family that grows 1–4 feet (30–120 cm) tall on an erect, branching stem. The leaves are rounded with five to seven shallow lobes, 1.5–4 inches (4–10 cm) across, on long stalks, and softly hairy. From late winter through summer it bears clusters of two to several flowers in each leaf axil, each flower 0.5–1 inch (12–25 mm) across with five notched petals in pale lilac to pink, marked with darker veins. The flowers are followed by ring-shaped fruits that break into wedge-shaped segments, each holding one seed. The plant has a deep taproot and germinates with autumn and winter rains, flowering in spring and dying by summer in dry climates. Native to the Mediterranean region, it has naturalized widely as a weed of gardens, roadsides, fields, and waste ground in California, Australia, and other areas with mild, dry-summer climates. It grows quickly on disturbed, fertile soil and self-sows freely, but it does not persist in shade or in wet, heavy ground.

Native Range

Native to the Mediterranean region of southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia. It has naturalized as a weed in California, Australia, and other regions with mild, dry-summer climates, growing on roadsides, fields, gardens, and disturbed ground.

Suggested Uses

Malva multiflora is mostly encountered as a naturalized weed rather than a planted ornamental. Its flowers supply nectar and pollen to bees, and the young leaves are edible like other mallows. In gardens it is usually managed or removed because of its heavy self-seeding.

How to Identify

Identify Malva multiflora by its rounded, shallowly five- to seven-lobed leaves on long stalks and its axillary clusters of pale lilac to pink flowers 0.5–1 inch (12–25 mm) across with five notched, dark-veined petals. The ring-shaped fruit breaks into single-seeded segments. It resembles common mallow (Malva spp. species) but carries several flowers per leaf axil rather than one or two.

Appearance

Size & Dimensions

Height1' - 4'

Width/Spread1' - 2'

Colors

Flower Colors

Foliage Colors

Fall Foliage Colors

Bloom Information

Bloom Period

~18 weeks

Spring Summer

Flowers appear from late winter through summer, mainly February to June in mild climates, with several flowers opening in each leaf axil. Bloom continues for many weeks as the plant grows. Ring-shaped fruits ripen and shed wedge-shaped seeds through the season.

Detailed Descriptions

Flower Description

pale lilac to pink

Foliage Description

green

Growing Conditions

Sun Requirements

SunFull Sun SunPartial Shade

Requires 4-12 hours of direct sunlight daily

• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight

• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight

• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight

Soil Requirements

pH Range6.0 - 7.8(Neutral)

357912

Soil Types

loam clay sand

Drainagewell drained

Water & Climate

Water Needs

Low

Drought Tolerance

Drought tolerant when established

Care & Maintenance

Care Guide

Malva multiflora grows in full sun to part shade on a wide range of well-drained soils and tolerates poor and disturbed ground. It germinates with autumn and winter rain, grows quickly, and needs little or no supplemental water in mild climates. The deep taproot makes established plants hard to pull by hand. It self-sows heavily, and seed can persist in the soil for years, so it spreads readily once present. It does not tolerate deep shade or waterlogged soil. Removing plants before seed sets limits its spread in gardens.

Pruning

Malva multiflora is an annual or biennial that needs no formal pruning. Plants can be cut or pulled before the fruits ripen to reduce self-seeding. Dead stems break down after the plant dies in summer.