Tree Mallow is a flowering, upright, annual in the Mallow family with a shrubby appearance that is native to the Mediterranean. Tree Mallow can reach a height of 4 feet with a 3 foot spread and may need staking or support. It is noted for its summer to early fall bloom of ornamental, saucer-shaped, white to pink, 3 inch flowers. The rounded, medium green, 3 inch leaves have heart-shaped bases and 3 to 7 shallow lobes. Tree Mallow does best in average, moist to dry, well-drained soil in full sun, although the plant will benefit from some afternoon shade in locations where summers are hot. Although the plant can be grown in many USDA zones, it does prefer summers where the nights are cool and rain is moderate. Tree Mallow can tolerate nutritionally poor soil and maritime exposure. You can sow seed directly in the garden two weeks before the last frost date, but to encourage an early bloom, you should start seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before last frost date. Deadhead spent flowers to extend bloom period. The plant can self-seed in some areas. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to Japanese Beetles. Root rot and leaf spots may occur.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Mounding
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cordate; Orbicular; Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenate
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Petiole to 3 1/2 to 5 inches. Generally deciduous. Lower blades to 5 inches long, 1 to 5 inches wide, rounded to cordate, crenate. Upper leaves generally smaller, lobes acute to obtuse.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Pink; White
Flower value
Good Cut; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Funnel
Flower detail
Shallow funnel-shaped flowers in shades of white and pink, with maroon centers and maroon veining on the petals. Blossoms from July into September.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Stem detail
Erect stem, covered generally with bristles.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Mediterranean
Distribution
Britain, Eastern Europe, New England, California, Texas, South Africa.