How to Grow Sidalcea Plants

Guide to Growing Checkerbloom, Prairie mallow, and Checker mallow

Members of the Sidalcea genus are hardy perennials that range from 60 cm to 2.5 m in height (2 to 5 feet).

They have lobed leaves and carry purple, white or pink flowers similar to hollyhock atop loon erect stems.

Sidalcea blooms throughout summer. Some common names for Sidalcea include Prairie mallow, False mallow, Miniature hollyhock and Checkerbloom.

Sidalcea malfiflora by Tom Hilton.

How to Grow Sidalcea

When growing Sidalcea plant species such as Prairie mallow outdoors from seeds, then sow at a depth of about 3 mm (1/8th inch) in the early spring.

Small varieties should be spaced about 25 cm (10 inches) apart, and larger species 50 cm (20 inches) apart. These mallows like to grow in sunny areas of the garden that have average soil.

If starting Sidalcea indoors, then start the process about two months before the last frost.

The seeds should take from two to seven weeks to germinate at a temperature of 10 degrees centigrade (50°F).

Once ready, transplant the young Sidalcea plants outdoors following the last frost.

Caring for Sidalcea plants

Sidalcea are very easy to care for. The soil that they grow in should be enriched with manure, and they should be watered in prolonged dry spells.

As many Sidalcea plants are tall they will require staking. Once flowering has finished strongly cut the plants back, this will result in a second bloom. If you require more plants then they can be propagated by division in the autumn.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Sidalcea. You may also enjoy the following growing guides: How to grow Holyhock and Hibiscus Plants.