Many-flowered mallow (Malva multiflora)

Photo: John LydenCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped

Many-flowered mallow Plant Care

Malva multiflora (Cav.) Soldano, Banfi & Galasso

Updated · Sources · How we source care data

Malva multiflora is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family known by the common names Cornish mallow and Cretan hollyhock. It is native to western Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean Basin, and it is naturalized in areas with a Mediterranean climate, such as parts of Australia, South Africa, and California.

Water

Every 5–7 days

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Temp

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

At a glance

How do you care for Many-flowered mallow?

Plant Many-flowered mallow in full sun to partial shade (USDA zones 13a) and water a young shrub every 5–7 days until it is established. It tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C). Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.

Where Is the Many-flowered mallow Native To?

Native range26 countries

What Is the Many-flowered mallow?

Many-flowered mallow (Malva multiflora) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Malva genus. Many-flowered mallow is native to western Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean Basin, and.

Many-flowered mallow displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Many-flowered mallow produces showy, saucer-shaped flowers in various colors.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

How Often Should You Water a Many-flowered mallow?

Water a young or newly planted Many-flowered mallow every 5–7 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 5–7 days

Until established; then in dry spells

What Light Does the Many-flowered mallow Need?

Many-flowered mallow thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Light Requirement

Full sun to partial shade

What Temperature and Humidity Does the Many-flowered mallow Prefer?

Malva multiflora tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Many-flowered mallow prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Temperature

60–80°F

Humidity

40–60%

What Soil Mix Works Best for a Many-flowered mallow?

Well-draining loamy soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Many-flowered mallow to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

How Often Should You Fertilize a Many-flowered mallow?

Feed Many-flowered mallow 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.

Fertilizing

Every 6 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 Many-flowered mallow?

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

Many-flowered mallow is suited to USDA Zone 13a.

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 Many-flowered mallow?

Many-flowered 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 Many-flowered mallow?

Prune Many-flowered 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 Many-flowered mallow in Winter?

Many-flowered 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 Many-flowered mallow?

Many-flowered mallow can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to egyptian mallow plant care, which shares the same genus.

Is the Many-flowered mallow Toxic to Pets and Children?

Pet safety not verified

The ASPCA does not list Many-flowered 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 Many-flowered mallow?

Many-flowered mallow 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.

What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Many-flowered mallow Need?

Many-flowered mallow grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Many-flowered mallow is native to western Europe, North Africa, and the Mediterranean Basin, and. In cooler regions, grow Many-flowered mallow as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.

Hardiness Zone

Zone 13a

Keep exploring plants

Many-flowered 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 Malva genus — compare its care with other Malva species on PlantoScan.

Malva is part of the Malvaceae plant family — browse all Malvaceae genera and species.

Many-flowered mallow thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.

More Malva Species

Other Malva species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:

Sources

  • Scientific name & taxonomy: Malva multiflora (Cav.) Soldano, Banfi & Galasso, family Malvaceae (first published in Atti Soc. Ital. Sci. Nat. Mus. Civico Storia Nat. Milano 146: 230 (2005)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
  • Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Many-flowered 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.
  • Photo: John Lyden, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
  • Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, 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.

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