Types of mallow: species, varieties & more

Mallows display their pretty, bee-friendly flowers all summer long and are generally quite low-maintenance. Discover the many types of mallow and what makes them each unique below.

Mallows (Malva) grab our attention with their delicate, colourful and edible flowers. Keep reading to discover some of the most beautiful mallow species and varieties for your garden as well as some popular close relatives.

Types of mallow for the garden

Mallows (Malva) belong to the mallow family known as Malvaceae, a vast plant family that has a variety of colourful flowering plants to offer. There are over 100 species of Malva, some of which are native to Europe and many of which we grow in our gardens as bee-friendly ornamentals or beneficial plants. Read on to learn more about different types of mallow and discover some related look-alikes.

Chinese mallow (Malva verticillata)

Chinese mallow, also called cluster mallow, is a vigorous species that reaches a height of up to 120cm and has large leaves and white flowers. Although all mallow species are edible, the annual Chinese mallow is best suited for growing as a leafy vegetable. This species originates from the subtropics of Africa, southern Europe and Asia, so it typically dies off after the first frost. The young leaves and flowers can be harvested continuously from June to the end of October for salads and other dishes.

Musk mallow (Malva moschata)

Musk mallows are rarely seen in the wild, but when they are, it is usually on rough grasslands and dry, warm meadows. In gardens, however, the fragrant musk mallow is a popular resident. These 20 to 80cm tall perennials form filigree, deeply-lobed leaves and hairy stems. The flowers grow individually on hairy petioles from the leaf axils and bloom in deep pink between June and October. Malva moschata ‘Alba’ is the only variety of this species with pure white or pale pink flowers. The musk mallow ‘Alba’ is a hardy perennial shrub that can grow up to 60cm in height.

Greater musk mallow (Malva alcea)

This species is also called vervain mallow or hollyhock mallow. It is native to much of Europe and grows scattered on slopes, embankments and sunny roadsides. These perennial shrubs are also popular in dry flower beds that are exposed to the sun. Greater musk mallow leaves are conspicuous, deeply lobed and palmate in shape. The pink or purple flowers appear between June and October. Malva alcea ‘Fastigiata’ is one of the few cultivated varieties; it has a stable, upright growth up to 100cm tall.

Dwarf mallow (Malva neglecta)

The dwarf mallow, also known as buttonweed or cheeseweed, is also native to most of Europe and is often seen growing along roadsides, field margins and walls. This mallow species produces small, round, lobed leaves and has a low growth habit, reaching a mere 10 to 40cm in height. Its small light-pink flowers appear between June and September. Both the foliage and flowers are edible and are used in wild herb recipes.

Common mallow (Malva sylvestris)

Also known as cheeses or high mallow, mallows in this species can be biennial or perennial. Common mallow is often found in dry areas where debris collects, such as along roadsides and walls. These plants grow up to 120cm tall and produce rounded leaves with up to seven lobes. In its first year, a Malva sylvestris only forms a basal rosette of leaves. The following year, two to six flowers will appear per leaf axil between June and October. Common mallow has been cultivated to produce exciting flower colours, including pink, violet and blue. The flowers also have dark stripes radiating from their centre. The plants’ growth is spreading, so that even the biennials appear again and again as if they were perennial. The most popular varieties are:

• ‘Blue Fountain’: this upright mallow grows up to 120cm high and blooms early starting in May. These deep purple mallow flowers are almost black at their centre.
• ‘Brave Heart’: at 120 – 150cm tall, this pink mallow flower draws attention with its height as well as its densely flowered stems and long flowering period, lasting until October.
• ‘Primley Blue’: this mallow has a height of 40 – 50 cm, is clump-forming and grows upright. The purple or blue mallow flowers appear between June and September.
• ‘Marina’: another tall variety, this 120cm tall mallow has soft purple flowers with dark stripes. It prefers dry soil and is suitable for growing in planters.
• ‘Bibor Felho’ (Malva sylvestris subsp. mauritiana): this is a subspecies of common mallow. It is vigorous, 100 – 150cm tall and a good bee pasture thanks to the numerous dark purple flowers it bears from June to September.
• ‘Zebrina’: this mallow has white to light pink flowers accentuated with dark pink stripes. Malva sylvestris ‘Zebrina’ starts flowering in June and has a spreading growth habit.

Close relatives of mallows

The plants from the Malvaceae family that we cultivate in our gardens have similar leaf and flower shapes, and they all form mucilage. All plants that belong to the mallow family are non-toxic, edible and often surprisingly healthy thanks to their components. The following are various genera and species that also belong to the mallow family:

Shrubby alcalthaea (Alcalthaea suffrutescens)

The shrubby alcalthaea is a cross between the hollyhocks (Alcea) and marshmallows (Althaea). It is a woody, heat-loving semi-shrub that grows 100 to 150cm tall. Its leaves are pubescent (covered in short, soft hairs) and resemble those of nettles in shape. Shrubby alcalthaeas bloom from June to September. Their flowers can be double or single, and their colouring varies from pastels to vibrant pink and red. This type of mallow is only fully hardy in mild regions, so in most cases, it will need winter protection as the temperatures drop in autumn.

Tree mallow (Lavatera)

Tree mallows are also called rose mallows or royal mallows. They reach a height of 80 to 150cm and grow as elegant, slender perennials. Between July and October, they produce numerous large flowers in shades of pink. Lavatera are only hardy to about -5 °C, so give them a sheltered, sunny and warm location for overwintering. As they are not very hardy, these plants are typically grown as annuals and are often included in flower mixtures for bees and butterflies. Tree mallow flowers are lovely in summer bouquets, and both the leaves and flowers are edible.

Marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis)

The marsh mallow is a well-known and time-tested medicinal plant. Its mucilage is said to provide relief from colds and persistent coughs. A marsh mallow plant can grow up to 150cm high and produces white to pale pink flowers from July to September. Marshmallows love moist soil and thrive along the banks of waterways.

Hibiscus (Hibiscus)

The colourful hibiscus also belongs to the mallow family and is one of the most popular flowering shrubs among gardeners — some can even be grown indoors. These woody plants reach a height of up to 200cm. However, there are also dwarf varieties that grow no more than 20cm tall. Hibiscus varieties are plentiful with flowers varying in colour and size, so there are plenty to choose from. Read more about them in our article on hibiscus varieties.

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)

Okra, also known as lady’s fingers, is a subtropical vegetable plant. Its membership to the mallow family can be recognised by its palmate leaves and five-petalled yellow flowers. The seed pods, which are harvested for consumption, are elongated and pointed with five sides. Depending on the variety, they can be green to dark red. Okra pods also produce mucilage like many other mallow plants. Okra is commonly used in Indian, Southeast Asian, Arabic and Mediterranean cuisine. The entire plant is edible, even down to the flowers which can be used as an edible garnish.

Prairie mallow (Sidalcea)

One of the easiest mallow plants to care for in the garden is the prairie mallow. This bushy perennial can grow to about 100cm tall and forms long, upright inflorescences with numerous flowers. Prairie mallow flowers bloom between July and September, and their flowers can be white, light pink or fuchsia. Some varieties, such as ‘Elsie Heugh’, also have fringed petals. Prairie mallows thrive in sunny areas with well-drained soil that is neither too dry nor too moist. This species is hardy down to -25 °C, so does not require winter protection.

Common hollyhock (Alcea rosea)

Common hollyhocks can be biennials or short-lived perennials, and their flowers can be single or double. They form a rosette of leaves in their first year of growth and then reach an impressive 200cm in height in the second year. Between July and September, a multitude of large, cup-shaped flowers appear in a wide range of colours, including white, lemon yellow, pink and deep red. The darkest variety, ‘Nigra’, appears almost black in colour and is popular for colouring teas. Despite having a short lifespan, these vigorous plants self-sow, so you can count on them coming back year after year.

Large-flowered mallow wort (Malopetrifida)

The large-flowered mallow wort is a beautiful annual with pink to deep red flowers that, if sown in March or April, begin blooming in July. Also called annual Malope, the seeds are often included in insect-friendly flower mixtures. This species typically only grows to about 60cm tall, making it suitable for growing on your balcony.