Fremont's Bushmallow Plant Care

Fremont's Bushmallow (Malacothamnus fremontii) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Malacothamnus genus. Fremont's Bushmallow is native to northern California in and west of the Sierra Nevada.

Fremont's Bushmallow displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Fremont's Bushmallow produces small, delicate pink to purple bell-shaped flowers in clusters.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Fremont's Bushmallow every 7–14 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.

Fremont's Bushmallow thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Malacothamnus fremontii tolerates temperatures of 50–85°F. Fremont's Bushmallow prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Fremont's Bushmallow to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Fremont's Bushmallow every 6 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.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining sandy soil mix with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Fremont's Bushmallow is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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.

Fremont's Bushmallow can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 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.

Prune Fremont's Bushmallow 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.

Fremont's Bushmallow is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Fremont's Bushmallow can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to abbott's bushmallow plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Fremont's Bushmallow is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.

Fremont's Bushmallow grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Fremont's Bushmallow is native to northern California in and west of the Sierra Nevada. In cooler regions, grow Fremont's Bushmallow as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.