Common Mallow

What Common Mallow is

Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris) is a perennial herb of the mallow family (Malvaceae). The wild mallow stands out with velvety, plum-purple flowers with deep purple veins, which emerge from distinctive purple flower buds.

These beautiful plants grow from 90 to 120 cm. tall and have a sturdy, upright habit, with strong erect stems that are larger than other Malva varieties.

A short-lived perennial, often grown as a biennial or annual, which will flower in its first season from seed.

Loves sunny places.

The flowers of the wild mallow are very attractive to bees and butterflies.

Mallow is a medicinal and ornamental plant with pink-purple flowers; it is used for coughs.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 82%
• Seeds per packet: 64–87 pcs (0.4 g)
• Seed origin: China
• Sowing: March and April; direct
• Flowering: June – September
• Harvest: May – July
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Common Mallow

Common Mallow seeds are sown in March and April. The plants flower from June to September. The crop is harvested from May to July. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Common Mallow

• Sowing method: direct
• Depth: 0.5–1 cm
• Spacing: 20–30 cm
• Germination: 10–20 days at 15–20 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Sow from February to June or from September to October. The seeds are best sown in a cold frame in early spring or autumn, but can also be sown directly in the soil in early summer. They germinate quickly and easily, usually within 14 to 21 days. Fill pots or trays with seed compost. Leave them to soak in water and then drain them. Sow the seeds on the surface and cover with a fine layer of compost. Keep the compost surface moist, but avoid overwatering.

Undemanding; self-seeds.

Harvest and use

Flowers and leaves are picked at flowering time.

Frequently asked questions

When should Common Mallow be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March and April. Sowing method: direct.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 64–87 seeds, pack size 0.4 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 82%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.