How to grow Hollyhock

After flowers are faded the plant can be cut above ground level and it will grow back. Flowers will open in fall.¹
Hollyhocks can be treated as short lived perennials but flower poorly in subsequent years and are prone to rust.

May be Winter Sown.
Alternatively, sow in mid summer into pots or modules using ordinary potting compost. Pot on individually when seedlings are large enough to handle.

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 0.2 inches (0.5 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.1 inches (0.25 cm). For optimal germination, soil temperature should be a minimum of 12°C / 54°F.

By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Hollyhock about 56 days before your last frost date .

Grow on in cool conditions potting on if necessary. Plant out into the flowering position in late summer. Hollyhocks are comfortable in full sun and grow well against a sunny wall. They are biennial and flower in their second summer.

Hollyhock is very hardy, so ensure you wait until all danger of frost has passed in your area before considering planting outside.

Collect the seed heads when almost ripe, into a paper bag and place on a warm windowsill until the seeds fall from the stalk

Seed viability is five years.

These estimates for how long Hollyhock takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Our when to plant Hollyhock estimates are relative to your last frost date.

Stokroos, Malwa, Hollyhock red, Dwarf hollyhock

Alcea pallida

Misspellings: Alchea

¹ Tulips in the Woods-Hollyhocks

² The A-Z of Garden Flowers