Also known as Mallow · 86 saves
Malva
Malva, the genus most gardeners know as mallow. We track 3 varieties; the ones most used by real gardeners.
The 3 most-saved Malva varieties
2 species of Malva
Each one is a parent of the varieties above.
Track your Malva in Sow
Save the Malva you grow and get care reminders timed to your zone.
How to grow Malva
Whats common across all Malva varieties in our catalog — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them.
The Malva year
- DeadheadJune–August67% of varieties
Remove spent flowers regularly to encourage rebloom and limit self-seeding
- Check for PestsJune–August67% of varieties
Monitor for mallow rust, especially during wet periods
Do
- Give it full sun to part shade ☀️
- Let some seed fall to renew the patch 🌱
- Remove rust-affected leaves in late summer 🍂
- Use it in cottage plantings and meadows 🌸
- Water regularly to keep soil moist but not waterlogged 🌱
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Expect individual plants to be long-lived ❌
- Crowd it and worsen the annual rust ❌
- Plant it in wet, poorly drained ground ❌
What goes wrong with Malva
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue on leaves and distorted growth | Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Generally pest-free | No significant insect damage is typical | Monitor only; no routine treatment needed |
| Mallow rust | Orange-brown pustules on leaf undersides, spreading through the summer | Remove affected leaves, space plants for air movement and avoid overhead watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and treat with sulfur fungicide |
Making more Malva
Seed
- Collect seed as the capsules dry in late summer.
- Sow in autumn or early spring where plants are to grow.
- Thin seedlings to about two feet apart.
seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist for germination, taking about 2 weeks.
Malva questions
How many types of Malva are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Malva varieties. The most popular — ranked by 86 real gardeners — are shown first above.
What zones does Malva grow in?
Across its varieties, Malva covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Malva bloom?
Most Malva varieties bloom in summer to fall, midsummer to early fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Malva should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.