Perennial
Common Mallow
Malva sylvestris
Varieties We Carry
StandardMalva sylvestris
Sizes & Pricing
3 galFrom$19.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 11.
LightFull Sun, Part Sun
WaterLow
Mature size2-4 feet × 2-3 feet
About Common Mallow
Mauve Mallow (Malva sylvestris) is a biennial or short-lived perennial native to Europe and western Asia, bearing rounded, lobed leaves and an abundance of showy, open-faced flowers in shades of lilac-pink to deep magenta with distinctive darker veining. One of the original sources of the color name 'mauve,' it has been used for centuries in herbal traditions and cottage gardens. The flowers and young leaves are edible and have a long history of culinary and medicinal use. Starting at $19.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- Flower Color
- Purple, Pink
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Clay, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
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This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Good planting window.
Bloom season. Handles summer heat well once established.
Ideal planting window.
May lose some foliage in cold snaps.
Care essentials
Light
Plant in full sun for best flower production; Malva sylvestris tolerates part shade but blooms most prolifically with 6+ hours of direct sun daily in northeast Florida.
Water
Drought-tolerant once established; water moderately during establishment and dry periods. Avoid waterlogged conditions, which promote root rot and rust disease — a particular concern in Florida's humid summers.
Soil & Fertilizer
Grows in most well-drained soils — sandy, loam, or clay — with little to no fertilizer required. Deadhead spent flowers to extend bloom and remove spent foliage in fall to reduce rust overwintering. Common mallow self-seeds readily in Zone 9b.
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Common questions
Is Common Mallow a good plant for St. Augustine?
Common Mallow is a perennial for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 2-4 feet × 2-3 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.