Malva tree mallow (Malva multiflora)
Care, watering, light and tips for Malva tree mallow on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Malvaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About Malva tree mallow
Malva multiflora, also known as Smaller Tree-mallow, is a fast-growing perennial shrub reaching up to 1.5-2 meters in height. It produces an abundance of cup-shaped, mauve-pink flowers with darker veins from late spring well into autumn. It is ideal for shrub borders, Mediterranean gardens, or as a background plant in sunny flowerbeds.
Native range
Australia and New Zealand
Care tips
It prefers full sun exposure and well-drained soils, although it tolerates a wide range of conditions. Watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry slightly between waterings, and more frequent during hot periods. A common mistake is overwatering in heavy soils, which can lead to root rot. Prune lightly after flowering to maintain shape and encourage more compact growth.
How to save a dying Malva tree mallow
- Warning signs
- Yellow or brown leaves falling rapidly, soft or dry stems, no flowering.
- First aid
- Check watering (moist but not waterlogged soil), prune dry branches, ensure full sun. Fertilize if soil is poor.
- What kills it
- Excessive root moisture (rot) or lack of light. Also extreme cold and frost.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not completely rotted and green stems remain. Act quickly.