Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) Growing & Care Guide for Gardeners
Article by Dean Ravenscroft, Ph.D. - Updated 31st Jan 2024
- Plant Characteristics: Alcea rosea is known for its tall, erect stems that can reach up to 6 feet, bearing large, colorful, saucer-shaped flowers. This classic cottage garden plant is ideal for adding height and drama to borders and backgrounds.
- Growing & Care: Prefers full sun and well-drained, fertile soil. It's important to provide support for the tall stalks and to water them at the base to prevent rust disease. Deadheading will encourage more blooms.
- Tips for New Gardeners: Great for beginners due to its easy growth habit. Its height makes it excellent for back borders or against walls. Keep an eye out for rust and treat it early if it appears.
Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are impressive garden favorites that will add a hint of nostalgia to your landscape.
These plants originated in Europe and can be grown with little effort.
Purple Hollyhock photograph by Patrick; CC.
Perfect for adding a vertical element to your garden, hollyhocks are a low-maintenance, short-lived perennial.
Their stalks can reach 8-9 feet (2.5 m) high, causing them to tower above most other types of garden flowers.
Alcea rosea photograph by candiru.
Despite their height they generally do not require staking, although this may be necessary if they are in an area that has little to protect them from strong wind.
The Common Hollyhock is a member of the Malvaceae (mallows) family, and Alcea rosea plants are hardy in USDA Zones 2-10.
The saucer shaped blooms are between four to eight inches (10 to 20 cm) across and come in a variety of colors including white, purple, pink, red, and even blue.
Their bright green leaves are large and cordate (shaped like hearts), and they typically bloom in summer and early autumn / fall.
They help to add a touch of charm to gardens and are very effective when grown against fences or buildings as a backdrop.
Hollyhocks are also great for wildlife gardens as they are host plants for painted lady butterflies and will also attract other pollinators.
Hollyhock leaves and flowers, photograph by Dinesh Valke; CC.
Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Hollyhock
Hollyhock requires a rich, well-drained soil with a medium amount of moisture and full sun for best results.
However if you live where the summer sun is scorching hot, then hollyhock plants would benefit from some afternoon shade.
These biennials will flower the second year.
Hollyhocks will seed themselves causing them to last in the garden for many years like perennials, so if you require more Alcea rosea in the garden next year be sure not to deadhead them until their seeds have fallen.
Seeds can also be collected and started indoors.
Alcea rosea white flowers, photograph by Dinesh Valke; CC.
-
Seed Success: Start Strong with this Ultimate Seed Starter Kit
Elevate your gardening game today by securing your Reusable Seed Starter Tray Kit. Get this must-have for any gardening enthusiast on Amazon and give your seedlings the head start they deserve. Embark on your journey to a bountiful harvest with confidence.
-
Garden Mastery: Unleash Your Potential with the Essential Tool Set
Boost your gardening with the CHRYZTAL Gardening Tool Set. Get this essential kit on Amazon for effortless gardening. A good set of tools is key to a thriving garden; make every cut count. Cultivate with ease and watch your garden flourish.
Alcea rosea Growing and Care Guide
- Scientific Name: Alcea rosea.
- Common Name: Hollyhock.
- Growing Zone: USA: 5 to 9.
- Life Cycle / Plant Type: Biennual, Perennial.
Plant Details
- Plant Height (Inches): 72 to 120.
- Plant Spread (Inches): 12 to 36.
- Time of Bloom: Early summer to Late Fall.
- Flower Details: Lavender, Orange, Pink, Purple, Red, Salmon, White, Yellow.
- Leaf Foliage: Green.
- Fruit:
- Growth Form: Upright / erect.
Ideal Growing Conditions
- Best Light Conditions: Partially shady to full sunlight.
- Rate of Growth: Quick.
- Suitable Soil Types: Acidic, Clay, Loamy, Neutral, Sandy, Well drained.
- Soil Moisture: Moist, moist to dry.
Caring Conditions
- Care:
- Level of Maintenance: Medium.
- Propagation: Seeds sown in gentle heat in mid-winter or in-situ in spring.
- How to Prune: Cut back after flowering.
- Pests: Young growth can be attacked by slugs and caterpillars;flea beetles occasionally cause significant defoliation.
- Diseases: Susceptible toa rust.
Further Information
- Can Attract: Hummingbirds, Butterflies.
- Tolerant of: Rabbit, Black Walnut.
- Best Garden Use: Border, Container, Foundation, Specimen.
- Family: Malvaceae (mallow).
- Closely Related Species: Hibiscus, Pavonia, and Sida.
I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Alcea rosea. You may also enjoy the following growing guides: How to grow Mallow and Malva plants.
Elevate Your Gardening Game
Weekly Growing & Care Guides for Your Inbox!
Find the insights on this site valuable? Then you're going to love my book: 'The Gardener's HQ Plant Growing Guide'.
Upon purchase, receive the eBook in PDF, MOBI (for Kindle), and ePub (most e-readers and iPad) formats. Also available from Amazon USA, Amazon UK, and iBooks.
