Leiper's Rose Mallow Plant Care
Androcalva leiperi (Guymer) C.F.Wilkins & Whitlock
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Androcalva leiperi, also known as Leiper's commersonia, is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae and is endemic to a restricted part of south-east Queensland. It is an erect or prostrate shrub that has brown bark, lance-shaped leaves with 4 to 7 pairs of rounded serrations on the edges, and groups of 3 to 12 white flowers.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
65–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Leiper's Rose Mallow?
Plant Leiper's Rose Mallow in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13b) and water a young shrub every 7–10 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F (18–27°C). Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Leiper's Rose Mallow Native To?
What Is the Leiper's Rose Mallow?
Leiper's Rose Mallow (Androcalva leiperi) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Androcalva genus. Leiper's Rose Mallow is native to a restricted part of south-east Queensland. Leiper's Rose Mallow is also known as Leiper's Rosemallow.
Leiper's Rose Mallow displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Leiper's Rose Mallow produces showy, trumpet-shaped flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 6 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Leiper's Rose Mallow?
Water a young or newly planted Leiper's Rose Mallow every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Until established; then in dry spells
What Light Does the Leiper's Rose Mallow Need?
Leiper's Rose Mallow thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Leiper's Rose Mallow Prefer?
Androcalva leiperi tolerates temperatures of 65–80°F. Leiper's Rose Mallow prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
65–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Leiper's Rose Mallow?
Well-draining loamy soil mix with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Leiper's Rose Mallow to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Leiper's Rose Mallow?
Feed Leiper's Rose Mallow every 4 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.
Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
Where Should You Plant a Leiper's Rose Mallow?
Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining loamy soil mix with added compost for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.
Leiper's Rose Mallow is suited to USDA Zone 13b.
Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.
How Far Apart Should You Plant a Leiper's Rose Mallow?
Leiper's Rose Mallow can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.
Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.
How Do You Prune a Leiper's Rose Mallow?
Prune Leiper's Rose Mallow while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.
If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.
How Do You Care for a Leiper's Rose Mallow in Winter?
Leiper's Rose Mallow is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.
How Do You Propagate a Leiper's Rose Mallow?
Leiper's Rose Mallow can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to androcalva adenothalia plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Leiper's Rose Mallow Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Leiper's Rose Mallow, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Leiper's Rose Mallow?
Leiper's Rose Mallow is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Leiper's Rose Mallow Need?
Leiper's Rose Mallow grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Leiper's Rose Mallow is native to a restricted part of south-east Queensland. In cooler regions, grow Leiper's Rose Mallow as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13b
Keep exploring plants
Leiper's Rose Mallow is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Androcalva genus — compare its care with other Androcalva species on PlantoScan.
Androcalva is part of the Malvaceae plant family — browse all Malvaceae genera and species.
Leiper's Rose Mallow thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Androcalva Species
Other Androcalva species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Androcalva leiperi (Guymer) C.F.Wilkins & Whitlock, family Malvaceae (first published in Austral. Syst. Bot. 24: 316 (2011)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Leiper's Rose Mallow, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13b, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
