Common Mallow is a flowering, branching vine that grows in any areas where the soil has been disturbed often reaching 3 feet in length. In open areas, it tends to form a mat of leaves and stems across the ground that can extend several feet. It is from the Mallow family, which includes a number of desirable plants, most notably cotton, hibiscus, and okra. One species of this family (Althaea officinalis) is actually the original ingredient in the making of marshmallows. Common Mallow is considered an invasive weed in some states. Common Mallow is a herbaceous perennial, although it is often referred to as an annual, winter annual, or biennial plant because it can be found growing all year. The Common Mallow prefers full sun, moist to slightly dry, fertile loamy soil. It will adapt to different soil types. During a drought, some of the lower leaves on the vine may wither away. This plant can survive irregular mowing or occasional attacks from a weed-whacker. Mallows only reproduce by seed and their seeds have a very thick coat which slows germination but allows them to survive for quite some time in the soil. If the seed coat gets nicked or damaged in any way, water can penetrate and the seed will germinate. Seedlings send out taproots that quickly becomes woody and are difficult to remove by hand or even with tools. Removing seedlings before they have less than four true leaves is best. Removing plants before they flower and go to seed is essential to keeping the seeds out of the soil for future seasons. Solarization and flaming are not effective weed treatments. The Common mallow is easily confused with the Common Carolina geranium weed. However, the geranium weed has more deeply-dissected leaves. Diseases, Insect Pests, and Other Plant Problems: Susceptible to rust fungus.
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
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Dry
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
6 - Vine (vertical)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Creeping; Horizontal; Multi-stemmed; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Gray/Silver; Green
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Ovate; Reniform
Leaf margin
Crenate
Leaf feel
Velvety
Leaf value
Edible
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Leaves, 2 1/2 by 3 inches, occur on long petioles along the stems. The petioles are about twice as long as the leaves. The palmate leaves are orbicular to kidney-shaped (reniform), with 5 or more shallow lobes. They are deeply indented at the base and often have short hairs across the upper or lower surface.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
Flowers appear as showy papery white, to light pink to light purple, 5-petaled blooms. The petals are notched at the tip so a blossom may appear to have 10 petals. A short flowering stalk (peduncle) about 1 inch long will produce 1 to 3 flowers, each about ¾ of an inch across with 5 slightly notched petals. In the absence of a major disturbance, the blooming period usually occurs during the summer and lasts about 2-3 months. However, some plants will bloom during late spring or early fall.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule; Schizocarp
Fruit value
Edible
Fruit detail
This plant is often called Cheese weed or Cheese plant because the seeds form in a round flattened pod that looks like a wheel of cheese or a pumpkin. There are 10-12 seeds per pod.
Stem detail
The stems have abundant white hairs.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Canary Islands, Morocco, Europe, Cental Asia
Distribution
Canada, South America, most United States
Attracts
Bees; Butterflies; Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Fruit; Leaves; Seeds
Harvest time
Fall
Fruit type
Capsule; Schizocarp
Edibility
The leaves and seeds are edible. Mature seeds should be cooked like rice or grains
Uses (ethnobotany)
Dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads.