Malva sylvestris
common mallow
Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia
Overview
Malva sylvestris is an erect to sprawling biennial or short-lived perennial in the mallow family, growing 2-4 feet (60-120 cm) tall. The rounded leaves are 2-3 inches (5-8 cm) wide with five to seven shallow, toothed lobes, carried on long stalks. From early summer into autumn it bears five-petaled flowers 1-2 inches (2.5-5 cm) across in clusters at the leaf axils, in shades of pink to mauve-purple with darker veins running the length of each notched petal. The flowers are followed by flat, ring-shaped fruits made up of many segments, often called cheeses, which break apart to release the seeds. Native to Europe, North Africa, and Asia, it has naturalized across North America and other temperate regions, growing on roadsides, waste ground, and field margins. The young leaves and flowers are edible and mucilaginous, and the plant has a long history in herbal use as a soothing demulcent. It self-seeds readily, can act as a weed, and is prone to orange hollyhock rust, which spots and disfigures the foliage.
Native Range
Native to Europe, North Africa, and temperate Asia, in hedgerows, roadsides, and disturbed grassland. It has naturalized widely in North America, Australia, and other temperate regions.Suggested Uses
Grown in cottage gardens, herb gardens, wildflower borders, and pollinator plantings. The edible flowers are used fresh in salads and the leaves in herbal teas. It suits informal settings where its self-seeding is welcome.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height2' - 4'
Width/Spread1' - 2'
Reaches mature size in approximately 2 years
Bloom Information
Blooms over a long period from early summer into autumn, generally June through September. Clusters of pink-purple flowers open in the leaf axils, drawing bees and other pollinators. Flowering continues as the plant produces successive shoots through the season.
Detailed Descriptions
Flower Description
Pink to mauve-purple with darker veinsFoliage Description
GreenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 5-10 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
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in full sun to light shade in most well-drained soils with a pH around 6.0 to 7.5. Tolerates poor, dry ground and needs little supplemental water once established. Self-sows freely, so volunteer seedlings appear around established plants. Foliage is often marked by orange hollyhock rust in damp conditions, which can be reduced by spacing plants for airflow and clearing infected leaves. Short-lived, it is usually maintained by letting some seed set each year.Pruning
Cut back flowered stems to tidy the plant and to bring a fresh flush of bloom. Removing spent flowers before seed set limits self-sowing. Clearing rust-spotted foliage through the season slows the spread of the disease.Container Growing
✓ Suitable for container growing
Minimum container size: 3 gallons