Overview
Malva sylvestris is a columnar upright herbaceous perennial in the genus Malva, part of the Malvaceae family, with semi evergreen foliage. It typically grows around 1-1.5 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, reaching full size in around 2-5 years. Malva sylvestris grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and any pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H5. Suggested uses include coastal, city and courtyard gardens, cottage and informal garden, wildflower meadow, wildlife gardens and flower borders and beds.
About
Malva sylvestris is a species of the mallow genus Malva, of which it the type species. Known as common mallow to English-speaking Europeans, it acquired the common names of cheeses, high mallow and tall mallow (mauve des bois by the French) as it migrated from its native home in Western Europe, North Africa and Asia through the English-speaking world. M. sylvestris is a vigorous plant with showy flowers of bright mauve-purple, with dark veins, standing 0.91–1.22 metres (3–4 ft) high and growing freely in meadows, hedgerows and in fallow fields. It grows to around 1-1.5 metres tall and 0.5-1 metres wide, carrying semi evergreen foliage. Grow it in full sun and most soil types. It tolerates soil of any pH, moist but well-drained, well-drained conditions and south-facing and west-facing aspects.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Malva sylvestris
About the genus
Malva is a genus of herbaceous or woody, annual, biennial, and perennial plants in the family Malvaceae. It is one of several closely related genera in the family to bear the common English name mallow. The genus is widespread throughout the temperate, subtropical and tropical regions of Africa, Asia and Europe.
Wikipedia contributors, "Malva", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Malva
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Malva
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
- Soil moisture
- Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Sheltered
- UK hardiness
- H5
Plant details
Malva sylvestris size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Habit
- Columnar upright
- Foliage
- Semi evergreen
- Height
- 1-1.5 metres
- Spread
- 0.5-1 metres
- Time to full height
- 2-5 years
- Suggested uses
- Coastal, City and courtyard gardens, Cottage and informal garden, Wildflower meadow, Wildlife gardens, Flower borders and beds
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Malva sylvestris
- Propagation
- Seed, Softwood cuttings from stems or basal shoots in early summer
- Pest resistance
- Aphids
- Disease resistance
- Stem rot, Rust, Soil-borne fungal diseases
Frequently asked questions
Where is the best place to plant Malva sylvestris?
Malva sylvestris prefers full sun. It suits sheltered positions.
What soil does Malva sylvestris need?
Malva sylvestris is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, clay, loam and sand. It is happy in soil of any pH. Aim for soil that stays moist but well-drained to well-drained.
How big does Malva sylvestris grow?
Malva sylvestris reaches a height of 1-1.5 metres and a spread of 0.5-1 metres. It takes around 2-5 years to reach full size.
Is Malva sylvestris hardy in the UK?
Malva sylvestris has an RHS hardiness rating of H5, meaning it is hardy in most of the UK, tolerating -15 to -10°C.
How do I propagate Malva sylvestris?
Seed, Softwood cuttings from stems or basal shoots in early summer.
More in the Malva genus
Browse all Malva →Last updated