How to Grow Common Mallow
Malva sylvestris
Common mallow is a tough, short-lived perennial that self-seeds freely to maintain a permanent presence in the garden. Grow in full sun to part shade in any well-drained soil — it actually thrives on poor, dry ground. The large pink-purple flowers with dark veining bloom from early summer right through autumn and attract bees and butterflies. All parts are edible: leaves, flowers, and the distinctive round 'cheese' fruits. Deadhead regularly to prolong flowering, and remove spent flowerheads before seeds drop if you want to control spreading. Cut back to the basal rosette in autumn.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Rarely needs feeding. A light mulch of compost in spring is sufficient. Avoid rich nitrogen feeds which promote leaf growth at the expense of flowers.
Watch For
- Rust (Puccinia malvacearum)
- Hollyhock weevil
- Aphids on flower stems
- Powdery mildew in dry summers
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun to part shade
Grows and flowers best in full sun. Tolerates partial shade but flowering is reduced. Avoid deep shade where growth becomes weak and floppy.
Watering
Drought-tolerant once established; water in first season
Once established, common mallow is highly drought-tolerant thanks to its deep taproot. Water regularly in the first growing season to help it establish. After that, natural rainfall is usually sufficient except in prolonged dry spells.
Fertilizing
Rarely needed; light compost mulch in spring
Common mallow thrives in poor soil and does not need rich feeding. A light compost mulch in spring is sufficient. Over-feeding with nitrogen promotes leafy growth at the expense of flowers.
Pruning
Deadhead regularly; cut back to rosette in autumn
Remove spent flowers regularly throughout summer to extend the long flowering season. Cut all stems back to the basal rosette in late autumn. If self-seeding is not wanted, remove all flowerheads before seeds ripen.
Spacing
60 cm apart
Space plants 60 cm apart to allow room for the large leaf rosettes and good air circulation. Good spacing reduces rust and mildew risk. Common mallow self-seeds freely so new plants fill gaps naturally.
Support
May need light staking on exposed sites
Generally self-supporting, but tall stems on exposed or windy sites can flop. Provide a single stake or use neighbouring plants for support if needed.
Growing Tips
Control self-seeding
Common mallow sets seed prolifically. Deadhead before pods open to keep it in check, or let a few seed heads mature to ensure next year's plants.
All parts are edible
Young leaves can be used raw in salads or cooked. Flowers make a pretty garnish. The round 'cheese' fruits are edible when green. Roots have mucilaginous properties used in herbal medicine.
Thrives on neglect
Grows best in poor, dry, well-drained soil. Rich, moist conditions produce lanky plants with fewer flowers. Avoid overwatering and overfeeding.
Great for pollinators
The open-faced flowers are irresistible to bees, hoverflies, and butterflies. Leaving some plants to flower fully is beneficial for garden wildlife.
