Mallow (Malva cathayensis) Flower, Leaf, Care, Uses

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More Info

Flower Color

Pink

Purple

Red

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer, Fall

Symbolism

Satire

Usages

Garden Use

Mallow is good for planting in courtyards and in flower borders.

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Mallows, rock-roses, and allies

Family

Mallow

Genus

Mallow

Species

Mallow

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Distribution Map

Habitat

Gardens

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Questions About Mallow

Sunlight

Temperature

How much sunlight should Mallow get per day to grow healthily?

You must expose the plants to at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight daily. They prefer more exposure to the morning light, especially in the summer. The Mallow needs full sun and more sunlight that it can get. The more light these species get, the more they can manufacture food, produce beautiful blooms, and survive.

What type of sunlight does Mallow need?

The Mallow grows best under full sunlight. It's best not to crowd them together so they can get exposure to the sun evenly. The leaves shouldn't be starved with sunlight. If planted in pots, try to expose the herbaceous flowers in windows with direct sun and ensure they receive full sunlight regardless of the months.

They don't tend to do well in partial or filtered light as this will not produce strong stems and healthy flowers. It's best if the Mallow is always exposed to the sun.

Can sunlight hurt plants? How to protect Mallow from sun and heat damage?

When the temperature rises above 90℉(32℃), the Mallow can get damaged by extreme temperatures, especially if they are exposed to many hours of sun. It's always ideal for providing some shade from the light in the afternoon in the summer. It's always important to keep in mind that the sunlight in the summer is stronger than the one in the winter. Sunlight exposure is also 50% longer in the summer than in the winter.

If the Mallow is too stressed with sunlight, you might want to keep them fully hydrated. Water them when the top of the soil is about 2 inches dry, and move the plants indoors if it's too hot outside. This is the case if they are planted in containers.

It can be normal for the plant leaves to wilt during the day. Generally, they can recover at night. However, when you notice that the Mallow is still drooping, this means that the plant is losing water fast, and you need to water them.

Should I protect Mallow from sun exposure?

The Mallow does not need any protection from the sun. In fact, they love the sun, and some species are heliotropic. Plant them in south-facing gardens whenever possible so they can be exposed from morning to afternoon. While the sun can benefit them, some may experience a sunburn. You might offer protection from the afternoon and midday sun through a shade of a tree or a wall.

Growing the Mallow in shady areas is impossible because the larger flowers would require a lot of energy to grow and produce. Always provide the lighting conditions and set them in an area with full sun for best results.

What will happen if Mallow gets inadequate sunlight?

When the Mallow does not get adequate sunlight, or they are not placed in full sun locations, it's worth noting that the photosynthetic process will slow down. A lack of sunlight will cause the stems to become more leggy since they become thin and long since they tend to seek too much sunlight. They will not bloom and produce seeds in the shade.

Inadequate sunlight will also mean that the older leaves can die, the color of the new ones is lighter than the old foliage, and the new growth is smaller than the last ones.

The Mallow indeed loves the sun so much. However, they can wilt when exposed to excessive heat and ultraviolet light during the extreme summer months, so be careful. You might want to cover them with a net that has a green shade, especially in the summer, to prevent the leaves and the flowers from scorching. When they are indoors, reduce the heat with the help of a fan.

Does Mallow need special care about sunlight during its different growth stages?

When the Mallow is growing, they need more light than their mature counterparts. The younger ones should receive adequate light, but they might not be prepared for sudden full sunlight, especially if they are grown in a nursery. They can be more sensitive to the summer sun, so the lighting should be gradual and slow.

How much light does Mallow need for photosynthesis?

During summer or late spring, the Mallow needs 6 to 8 hours of direct light every single day. This is whether they are planted outdoors. If the Mallow is planted in pots or you're growing them in the winter, they need direct fluorescent lights that help them grow better. Make sure to place them in an indoor area where they are facing south or east so they can have enough sunlight for photosynthesis.

Are there any cautions or tips for sunlight and Mallow?

When transplanting the plants, they should not be exposed to sudden sunlight. Give the Mallow to grow and mature before transplanting outside. Some species of herbaceous plants can grow taller and might cast a shade on other young plants. Allow between 80 to 100 days of growing season before planting another batch to ensure that every plant receives more than enough sunlight for at least 6 hours a day.

Make sure that the Mallow receives the best light possible, especially if it's planted in a nursery. These are sun-loving plants, but too much sunlight with a very hot temperature is also detrimental to their growth. Indoor lights should be replaced with natural sunlight as much as possible since these species crave this every day.

What is the optimal temperature for Mallow?

The best temperature for Mallow depends on the time of year. There are two primary seasons to discuss for temperature: the growing season, and the dormancy season. During the growing season, once Mallow has begun to sprout, the ideal temperature range should be anywhere from 65~80℉(18~27℃). Any colder than 15℉(-10℃), and the plant will suffer; its leaves may brown and wilt, but if this is a short cold snap, then Mallow may be able to survive with some help.

During the warmer parts of the year, Mallow will need to be similarly protected from temperatures that are too high. 95-105℉ (35-40℃) is the top of this plant’s temperature range, and anything above that will compromise the integrity of the foliage and blooms of Mallow. Hotter temperatures can cause wilting, drooping, and even sunburn on the leaves, which can be difficult for Mallow to recover from. There are quite a few ways to combat this issue that are quick and easy!

Temperature requirements for first year or seedling Mallow

If this is the first year of your Mallow outside as a new plant, then it may need a little extra tending during the coldest months of the year. Not only can frost more severely damage a first-year Mallow, but it can also prevent it from growing back as a healthy plant come spring. This plant needs to be kept at 40℉(5℃) or above when they’re not yet established, which can be done either by bringing your Mallow inside for a month or two, or putting up mulch or fabric barriers that protect from frost damage.

It’s also a good idea to plant Mallow in a shadier spot during the first year or two, as smaller and weaker plants have a more difficult time maintaining their own temperatures in the heat. First-year Mallow should receive no more than five hours of direct sunlight per day, particularly if the ambient daytime temperature gets above 80℉(27℃). Shadecloth and frequent watering or misting are the keys to summer heat control.

How can I protect Mallow from extreme temperatures?

If cold temperatures (below 15℉(-10℃)) do occur during the growing season, there are a few measures you can take to help protect Mallow from frost or cold damage. If you’re growing Mallow in a container, then the container can simply be brought inside in bright, indirect light until the temperatures rise up over the lower threshold again. Another option that’s better suited for ground-planted Mallow is to use mulch or horticultural fabric to create an insulated barrier around the plant, which will protect the plant from frost and cold wind.

For temperatures that are hotter than 80℉(27℃) in the shade during the day, be careful to only expose Mallow to six hours or less of sunlight per day, preferably in the morning hours. Putting up shade cloth, or a fine plastic mesh, can help reduce the amount of direct sunlight that hits the plant during the hottest parts of the day. You can also install a misting system that allows for a slow release of cooling mist around the base of the plant during the day to lower ground temperatures.

Dormant season temperature recommendations for Mallow

During the cold winter months, Mallow needs a certain measure of cold in order to stay in dormancy until it’s time to sprout. Sprouting too early, that is before the danger of the last frost has passed, can be fatal to Mallow, especially if it’s already had a head start when the frost hits. Winter temperatures should ideally stay below 32℉(0℃), but if they get up to 40℉(5℃), everything will be just fine.

An unexpected warm spell during the cold months, which can happen in more temperate climates like woodland rainforests, can trigger a premature sprout from Mallow. In this case, if there’s still imminent danger of frost, you may want to try covering it with clear plastic on stakes so that the cold has less of a chance of damaging the new sprout. This setup can be removed when the danger of frost has passed. Occasionally, Mallow will be able to resprout at the correct time without any help, but this method increases the chances of a successful second sprouting.

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Mallow

Malva cathayensis

Also known as: Mallow Malva

Mallow is an annual variety of mallow that is grown for ornamental purposes. It bears striking purple flowers that bloom throughout the summer. It is sometimes known as Creeping Charlies and its seeds are called cheeses.

Spring, Fall

Planting Time

More Info

Flower Color

Pink

Purple

Red

Bloom Time

Spring, Summer, Fall

Symbolism

Satire

Usages

Garden Use

Mallow is good for planting in courtyards and in flower borders.

Scientific Classification

Phylum

Vascular plants

Class

Dicotyledons

Order

Mallows, rock-roses, and allies

Family

Mallow

Genus

Mallow

Species

Mallow

Find your perfect green friends.

Plan your green oasis based on your criteria: plant type, pet safety, skill level, sites, and more.

Download the App

Distribution Map

Habitat

Gardens

Map

Native

Cultivated

Invasive

Potentially invasive

Exotic

No species reported

Questions About Mallow

Sunlight

Temperature

How much sunlight should Mallow get per day to grow healthily?

What type of sunlight does Mallow need?

Can sunlight hurt plants? How to protect Mallow from sun and heat damage?

Should I protect Mallow from sun exposure?

What will happen if Mallow gets inadequate sunlight?

Does Mallow need special care about sunlight during its different growth stages?

How much light does Mallow need for photosynthesis?

Are there any cautions or tips for sunlight and Mallow?

What is the optimal temperature for Mallow?

Temperature requirements for first year or seedling Mallow

How can I protect Mallow from extreme temperatures?

Dormant season temperature recommendations for Mallow

Get tips and tricks for your plants.

Keep your plants happy and healthy with our guide to watering, lighting, feeding and more.

Download the App

Related Plants

Swan's-neck thyme-moss

Mallotus philippensis

Catchfly prairie gentian

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More Info

Symbolism

Usages

Scientific Classification

Distribution Map

Habitat

Questions About Mallow

More Questions People Also Ask

Related Plants

Related Articles

More Info

Symbolism

Usages

Scientific Classification

Distribution Map

Habitat

Map

Questions About Mallow

More Questions People Also Ask

Related Plants

Related Articles