Also known as Checkerbloom · 166 gardener saves
Sidalcea: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Sidalcea, the genus most gardeners know as checkerbloom. We track 3 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 3 most-saved Sidalcea varieties
Of 3 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedChecker Mallow
Sidalcea malviflora 'Rosaly'
#2 most savedHenderson's Checkermallow
Sidalcea hendersonii
#3 most saved'Purpetta' Checker Mallow
Sidalcea malviflora 'Purpetta'
How to grow Sidalcea
What the Sidalcea varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 3 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Sidalcea year
- DivideMarch and September100% of varieties
Divide congested clumps every 3-4 years to maintain vigor.
- DeadheadJune–August100% of varieties
Remove spent flower spikes completely to encourage continued blooming.
- Spring CleanupFebruary67% of varieties
Cut back old, dead stems and foliage to the basal mound.
Do
- Water regularly during dry spells 💧
- Prune to shape and remove dead stems ✂️
- Mulch to retain moisture and suppress weeds 🌱
- Fertilize in early spring with balanced nutrients
- Provide full sun for vigorous flowering
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Don’t forget to deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Avoid planting in dense shade where growth will be leggy
- Don’t use heavy clay soil without amendments
What goes wrong with Sidalcea
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply fungicide if necessary |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and spray with insecticidal soap |
| Powdery mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Apply fungicide or improve air circulation |
| Root Rot | Wilting and browning roots | Ensure well-draining soil and reduce watering |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply neem oil |
| Root rot | Wilting and browning of roots | Ensure soil drains well and reduce watering |
Making more Sidalcea
seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring, 2 weeks before last frost.
- Keep soil consistently moist for germination, which takes about 2-3 weeks.
cuttings
- Select healthy, non-flowering stems in late spring.
- Dip cuttings in rooting hormone and plant in moist, well-draining soil.
- Maintain high humidity and keep in indirect light for 6 weeks until roots develop.
Sidalcea questions
How many types of Sidalcea are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 3 distinct Sidalcea varieties. The most popular — ranked by 166 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Sidalcea grow in?
Across its varieties, Sidalcea 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 Sidalcea bloom?
Most Sidalcea varieties bloom in early to mid-summer, mid-summer, early summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Sidalcea 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.
Keep exploring
Sidalcea shows up in
Design with Sidalcea in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
