How to Grow Sphaeralcea Plants

Guide to Growing Globemallow, False mallow, and Desert Hollyhock

Sphaeralcea plants are half-hardy perennial sub-shrubs that range in height from 45 cm to 1.8 m.

They have lobed leaves, and bloom in the summer with flowers that are reminiscent of hollyhock; the flowers may be orange, red, or purple.

Some of the common names for Sphaeralcea include Desert Mallow, Desert Hollyhock, Globe Mallow, and Prairie Mallow.

Sphaeralcea coccinea
Sphaeralcea coccinea - Scarlet Globemallow by mmmavocado.

Sphaeralcea Growing and Care Guide

Common Names: Globemallow, False mallow, Desert Hollyhock.
Life Cycle: Half-hardy perennial.
Height: 18 to 72 inches (45—180 cm).
Native: Americas.
Growing Region: Zones 7 to 9.
Flowers: Summer to early autumn.
Flower Details: Red, orange, rose-lilac, purple. Cup-shaped. Silky.
Foliage: Spiral. Palmate. Toothed. Grey-green. Downy. Woody-base, shrub.
Sow Outside: 1/4 inch (6 mm). Autumn using fresh seed. Germination time: two to three weeks. Temperature: ~65°F (18°C). Space from 6 to 36 inches (15—90 cm). Transplant to the final location in spring or autumn.
Sow Inside: No.
Requirements and care: Full sunlight. Sandy. Good drainage. Alkaline to acidic soils pH 5 to 8. Poor soil for best results. Survives in dry soil but regular watering can produce larger plants. Once established do not disturb. Propagate: by taking softwood cuttings in the summer. Self-seeds freely.
Family: Malvaceae.
Closely Related Species: Hibiscus, Pavonia, and Sida.
Miscellaneous: Named after the Greek for ‘Sphere’ (sphaira) and ‘mallow’ (alkea).

How to Grow Sphaeralcea

When growing from seed, it is best to sow members of the Sphaeralcea plant genus such as desert mallow and Globemallow outdoors from ripe seeds in the autumn. The seeds should be sown at a depth of 7 mm into a poor sandy soil that has a pH of 5 to 8. They like to grow in sunny location. It should take about two or three weeks for the seeds to germinate. If attempting to grow in a greenhouse then supply a temperature of 18 to 21 degrees centigrade, and transplant outdoors in spring or autumn.

The spacing of the plants depends on the species; large varieties should be spaced about a meter apart; whereas smaller ones can be spaced from 15 to 20 cm apart.

Caring for Sphaeralcea

It is very easy to look after Desert mallow, Globe Mallow and other Sphaeralcea species as they pretty much take care of themselves; however frequent watering will result in larger and healthier plants. If you require more plants then they can be propagated by taking cuttings from soft wood in the summer, or by dividing in the autumn.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow Sphaeralcea plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Althaea and Malva plants.