Malva sylvestris

RHS Plant Profile
common mallow

Other common names

cheese cakes, cheese flower, cheeses, high mallow, hock, hock herb, marsh mallow, mauls, maws, round dock, tall mallow, hocys cyffredin

Plants for pollinators
Herbaceous Perennial

An erect perennial that throws up flowering spikes up to 1.5m in height in summer and autumn. Flowers are grouped in the leaf axils and are five-petalled, notched and pink. Leaves are rounded at the base of the plant, but five-lobed on the stems

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1-1.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1-1.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness
H5

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Malvaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Semi evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus
Malva can be annuals, biennials or perennials, with rounded, often palmately lobed leaves and 5-petalled, open funnel-shaped flowers in the leaf axils or in terminal racemes
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe, Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Occurs naturally, especially in the south of England, on disturbed ground and grassy verges

Propagation

Propagate by seed

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Wildflower meadow
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

No pruning required

Pests

Generally pest-free

Diseases

May be susceptible to hollyhock rust and in turn infect cultivated hollyhocks