African mallow (Anisodontea triloba)
Care, watering, light and tips for African mallow on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Malvaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 5 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
About African mallow
Anisodontea triloba, commonly known as Velvet Mallow, is an evergreen shrub native to South Africa, prized for its profusion of pink or mauve mallow-like flowers that bloom for much of the year. Its soft, velvety foliage gives it its name and a tactile appeal, making it ideal for borders, large containers, or as a focal plant in sunny, temperate gardens.
Native range
South Africa
Care tips
It requires full sun for optimal flowering, though it tolerates some partial shade in very hot climates. Watering should be regular during the growing season, allowing the substrate to dry out slightly between waterings, and reduced in winter. It prefers well-drained, fertile, and slightly acidic to neutral soils. A common mistake is lack of pruning: prune lightly after each flush of blooms to encourage dense growth and more flowers, and a harder prune in early spring to rejuvenate it.
How to save a dying African mallow
- Warning signs
- Yellowing or wilting leaves, soft and droopy stems, no blooms.
- First aid
- Check watering (neither waterlogged nor dry), move to partial shade if hot, prune dry branches.
- What kills it
- Overwatering (root rot) or prolonged drought. Also too little light or intense direct sun.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if roots are not completely rotted and the issue is corrected promptly.