1 named cultivar
The Story
Plant Bio
Lavatera trimestris, the annual mallow, is a bushy Mediterranean annual growing two to four feet high and two to three across in a single season. Rounded lobed leaves clothe the branching stems, and large open trumpet flowers in white through to deep pink, often with darker veining, open from July to September. Each bloom can reach four inches across.
The flowers are among the largest of any hardy annual, and they come on a plant that asks for nothing beyond sun and drainage. It has a taproot and resents transplanting, so it is sown where it is to flower; started in modules and moved, it sulks and stays half the size it should be.
Uses & Benefits:
Essentials
At a Glance
Plant Type
Annual
Height
36 inches
Width
30 inches
Light
Full Sun
Zones
4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10
Water
Medium
Humidity
Average
Lifespan
Annual
Native To
Mediterranean
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Planting
How to Grow
- Sow direct in spring where plants are to flower.
- Choose full sun and average, free-draining soil.
- Thin seedlings to about eighteen inches apart.
- Avoid rich soil, which gives leaf at the expense of flower.
- Water moderately through the season.
- Support taller plants in exposed positions.
Pro Tip
Sow it in place rather than in modules; the taproot resents disturbance and transplanted plants never reach full size.
Keep It Thriving
Care Guide
Do
- Sow direct where it is to flower 🌱
- Give it full sun ☀️
- Thin seedlings properly ✂️
- Keep the soil lean rather than rich 🪨
Don't
- Transplant seedlings ❌
- Feed it heavily and get leaf instead of flower ❌
- Plant it in wet or shaded ground ❌
Seasonal Care Calendar
| Task | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Deadhead | ||||||||||||
| Sow |
Watch Out For
Pests & Diseases
Common Pests
Common Diseases
In the Garden
Landscape Uses & Companions
Landscape Uses
Multiply
Propagation Methods
Good to Know
Common Questions
Mallow questions
What zones can Mallow grow in?
Mallow is hardy in USDA Zones 4–10. 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?
Yes — Mallow is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.
When does Mallow bloom?
Mallow typically blooms in midsummer to early fall through late 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 (6+ hours).
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 Lavatera to compare
Keep exploring
Explore the genus
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.