How to grow Annual Mallow

Native to Mediterranean (sandy areas near sea), and naturalised in Aus and USA regions with similar climate.

Likes full sun, some protection in climates where summer sun is very hot.
Likes well-drained soil, allow it to dry before watering.
Can be staked.
Dead-head to promote flowering.

Easy to germinate, sow direct in a sunny weed free spot, covering only lightly or sow three or four seeds into a 7cm pot and start under protection in late spring

Try to aim for a seed spacing of at least 11.7 inches (30.0 cm) and sow at a depth of around 0.12 inches (0.3 cm). Soil temperature should be kept higher than 15°C / 59°F to ensure good germination.

Intolerant of transplantation (extensive root system), best planted in situ or in modules.
Choose a sunny spot out of the wind or the plants may need staking with brush wood as they grow

Ensure that temperatures are mild (minimum night temperatures should be around 15°C / 59°F) and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Annual Mallow is a tender plant.

Can be used as cut flowers if the whole stem is used, select a stem with mostly open flowers

After flowering, a circular seed pod will ripen to a dark brown ring, during dry weather pick the seed pod and continue to dry in a paper bag until the disc like seeds fall off the seed head
Lavatera seeds store well and remain viable for a number of years

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

Lavater family from Zurich, naturalists The botanical epithet is from the Latin trimestris meaning “of three months”

Leaves can be eaten.

Rose mallow, Lavatera

Althaea trimestris, Stegia trimestris