Wax mallow is a flowering, perennial shrub or subshrub, native of the southeastern United States and Mexico, in the mallow family. The flowers are fascinating on close inspection, with swirled petals that never open, but with long, protruding stamens. It is an old-fashioned, "pass-along" southern plant. The dark green heart-shaped leaves are long and wide. The small, red flowers blossom in late summer and into the fall. At maturity, the shrub will reach a height of 10 feet, although some plants have grown to 30 feet. The species name, arboreus refers to the tree-like appearance of the mature plant. Wax mallow does best in moist fertile soil in partial shade. This plant can be pruned to control its size and is moderately salt tolerant. It is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds as well as resistant to damage by deer. Clemson University Home and Garden Information Center has an article on Wax mallow and attracting hummingbirds. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: No known diseases or insect pests.
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.
Leaves are 5 inches long and wide, heart shaped and 3 lobed, with broad teeth. Upper surface is dark green, lower surface lighter and velvety.
Flower color
Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Showy
Flower shape
Dome
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Flowers have swirled petals that never open and long, protruding stamens. Blooms from summer to fall and each individual flower lasts two days. The flowers are 1 inch or more long with the pistil and stamens forming a column protruding 3/4 inch beyond the petals.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit color
Red/Burgundy
Fruit type
Berry; Schizocarp
Fruit value
Showy
Fruit detail
Fruit is red, a 5 lobed capsule cupped in green remnants of the flower.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
The upper stems are green and velvety and woody near the base.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Texas east to Florida and North East Mexico
Distribution
Distributed to Hawaii.
Wildlife value
Is attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Important food source for female and juvenile Ruby-throated Hummingbirds. This plant is resistant to damage by deer.