Tree mallow is an herbaceous perennial, flowering shrub in the Mallow family that can be grown as a biennial or an annual, but will require protection from cold and wind if grown as a perennial. It is typically grown in warmer climates, as it is easily damaged by frost. The attractive pink to lavender flowers are early arrivals in spring, last through the summer, and have dark veins running into a dark center. Tree mallow grows best with medium moisture in well-drained sandy soil and a salty atmosphere. A site in full sun will maximize flower blossoms, but the plant will tolerate partial shade. It also tolerates drought once established. It excretes excess salt through glands on the leaves, so planting in a coastal location will not be a detriment to the plant. Remove spent flower spikes to encourage additional flowering. Tree mallow can freely self-seed in the garden unless spent flowers are promptly deadheaded. Given that this plant is a short lived perennial, some self-seeding may be desirable. Cut back to basal foliage in fall, or earlier if plant appearance declines. Tree mallow tolerates pruning and stems may be cut back in spring if shorter plants are desired. When grown from seed, the shrub can bloom in its first year. The seeds remain viable for years. The spread of this plant along the seashore, due to its salt tolerance and self-seeding, has caused problems for nesting seabirds. Use in a pollinator, butterfly or drought-tolerant garden. Insects, Diseases and Other Plant Problems: The stems crack easily. No serious insect or disease problems. Japanese beetles may feed on the foliage.
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
Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Palmatifid
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf feel
Velvety
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
> 6 inches long
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
Each leaf may have between 5 and 9 lobes. They range in size from 3 to 7 inches, spirally arranged around the stem.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender
Flower value
Good Cut; Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Spike
Flower shape
Radial
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The 1 to 2 inch flowers are borne in clusters of two or more in the leaf axils. They bloom in March through July.
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit value
Long-lasting
Fruit detail
The seeds are contained in a round, flat capsule and can remain viable for years.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
North Western Europe to Mediterranean
Distribution
South America and South Africa, California and Oregon.
Wildlife value
The blooms attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and various insect pollinators. Serves as a food source for a variety of butterflies and moths. Bees are attracted to both the nectar and pollen.
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Hummingbirds
Play value
Attracts Pollinators; Wildlife Food Source
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Seeds
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
The seeds may be edible.
Uses (ethnobotany)
The leaves are used in herbal medicine to treat sprains, by steeping them in hot water and applying them as a poultice.