1 named cultivar
The Story
Plant Bio
Anisodontea capensis, Cape mallow, is an upright shrubby perennial from the Cape Province of South Africa, two to four feet in both directions. Small three-lobed triangular leaves cover hairy bristly branching stems, and cup-shaped pale pink flowers with darker veining and a dark eye open almost continuously from spring to autumn.
It flowers for longer than almost anything else in a container — spring through to autumn, and through winter in frost-free gardens — and does it on very little water. Pinch it hard when young: left alone it becomes leggy and bare at the base, and a plant that has gone that way cannot be recovered by cutting into old wood.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Shrub
Height
36 inches
Width
36 inches
Light
Full Sun, Partial Sun
Zones
9, 10
Water
Low
Humidity
Low
Lifespan
Perennial
Native To
Cape Province, South Africa
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Planting
How to Grow
- Plant in full sun in freely draining soil.
- Pinch young plants repeatedly to build a bushy shape.
- Water sparingly once established.
- Do not feed heavily; lean soil suits it.
- Trim lightly through the season, above old wood.
- Overwinter under cover below zone 9.
Pro Tip
Pinch it hard while it is young — like lavender it will not resprout from bare wood, so a leggy plant stays leggy.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Pinch young plants repeatedly ✂️
- Give it full sun and sharp drainage ☀️
- Water sparingly 💧
- Overwinter it under cover 🏠
Don't
- Cut back into bare old wood ❌
- Overwater or over-feed it ❌
- Leave it outdoors below zone 9 ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Pinch | ||||||||||||
| Protect |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Companion Plants
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Mallow questions
What zones can Mallow grow in?
Mallow is hardy in USDA Zones 9–10. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.
Is Mallow deer resistant?
Not reliably. Deer may browse Mallow, especially tender spring growth — plan on repellents or fencing where pressure is high.
When does Mallow bloom?
Mallow typically blooms in spring to fall through early summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.
Does Mallow need full sun?
Mallow does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.
Is Mallow drought tolerant?
Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Mallow handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.
More Anisodontea to compare
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
Hardy in your zone?
Grow Mallow with confidence
See it in a design of your actual yard, get zone-matched care reminders, and track it season by season in your garden journal.