Malva sylvestris (Mallow)
Seed # 224
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 224
- Seed Name
- Malva sylvestris (Mallow)
- Variety
- Not recorded
- Category
- Medicinal
- Plant Family
- Malvaceae
- Plant Type
- Common mallow (Malva sylvestris)
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow or Transplant
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Mar 15
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Jun 15
- Plantable Months
- March, April, May, June
- Indoor Start
- Mar 15 – Apr 1
- Direct Sow
- May 6 – Jun 15
- Transplant
- May 12 – Jun 15
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- Not recorded
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- 1 weeks
- Germination Days
- 7–21 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- Not recorded
- Succession Planting
- Not recorded
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- Not recorded
- Planting Depth
- Surface sow or cover lightly
- Plant Spacing
- 18-20 in
- Row Spacing
- 24-36 in
- Thin-To Spacing
- 18-20 in
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water Needs
- Water regularly until established; moderate moisture thereafter
- Soil Preference
- Well-drained soil; adaptable to ordinary garden soil
- Minimum Container Size
- in a 12+ in deep container
- Plant Height
- About 2-4 ft
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Perennial
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- Yes
- Heat Tolerant
- Yes
- Drought Tolerant
- Yes
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- Yes
Garden Uses
Container Culinary Cut Flower Medicinal Pollinator Seed Saving TeaCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Bachelor Button | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Bachelor Button | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Calendula | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Calendula | Good Companion | Not recorded |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- European Medicines Agency; Gardenia; MSU Extension
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Direct sow in spring or start indoors several weeks before last frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Direct sow/transplant about Apr 1 – Aug 15
Germination Time: About 7–21 days
Days to Harvest / Bloom: Usually flowers the first or second season depending on sowing time and conditions
Container Friendly: Yes, in a 12+ in deep container
Pollinator Friendly: Yes; flowers attract bees and other insects
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Yes; Malva sylvestris has documented traditional herbal use. Use only correctly identified, uncontaminated plant material.
Perennial?: Short-lived perennial or biennial; may also behave as a self-seeding annual
Succession / Reusable Notes: No regular succession needed; allow some seed to mature if natural reseeding is wanted.
Zone 6B Notes: Generally hardy enough for Zone 6B; plants may overwinter or return from self-seeding.
Companion Plants: Other cottage-garden herbs/flowers such as calendula, bachelor buttons and pollinator plants
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Can self-seed freely. Give airflow to reduce foliar disease and avoid waterlogged soil.
Sources: European Medicines Agency: https://www.ema.europa.eu/en/medicines/herbal/malvae-sylvestris-flos | Gardenia: https://www.gardenia.net/plant/malva-sylvestris | MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar
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Zone 6B: Malva sylvestris is hardy in Zone 6B and may behave as a short-lived perennial or self-seeding biennial-type plant.
Germination: Surface sow or cover lightly. Germination generally occurs in 7-21 days.
Harvest: Young leaves and flowers are edible. Flowers and leaves also have a history of traditional herbal use.
Seed Saving: Allow the distinctive round 'cheese-wheel' seed heads to mature and dry before collecting seed.
Special Care: Mallow is susceptible to rust. Remove diseased foliage and avoid repeatedly growing plants in the same location if rust becomes severe.
Research Source: NordGen — https://publication.nordgen.org/Cultivation-Manual-Medicinal-and-Aromatic-Plants/malva-sylvestris.html — Malva sylvestris identity, medicinal/aromatic classification, flowering period, seed harvest and rust susceptibility
Research Source: Chiltern Seeds — https://www.chilternseeds.co.uk/item_843g_malva_sylvestris_seeds — 7-21 day germination, surface sowing, approximately 50 cm spacing and direct sowing after frost
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