Cape mallow, which resembles a delicate, miniature hibiscus, is a profusely blooming shrub native to South Africa. In warm climates, it is grown as a perennial, albeit a short-lived one, displaying its cup-shaped pink blooms almost year-round. In cooler climates, it blooms from early summer through frost and it is either grown as an annual or overwintered indoors. The flowers attract bees and butterflies.
Cape mallows are occasionally sold as patio trees with a long single stem or narrow trunk.
Cape Mallow Overview
Where to Plant Cape Mallow
Select a location in full sun. In terms of soil and pH, cape mallow is undemanding as long as the soil is well-drained and the soil pH ranges between slightly acidic to slightly alkaline.
Cape mallow thrives in garden soil but it being a subshrub or dwarf shrub, it is also highly suitable for a container garden. Add it to a pollinator garden with native plants or a border to attract bees and butterflies. Because the plant is drought-tolerant, it makes a great landscape plant for dry climates.
For a potted patio tree, find a sheltered location away from strong winds.
How and When to Plant Cape Mallow
Plant cape mallow in the spring. Dig a hole at least twice the size of the root ball and just as deep. Place the plant in the hole and backfill with the original soil so that the top of the root ball is flush with the soil. Tamp down the soil and water it well. Keep the soil moist and water it regularly during the first growing season to encourage a strong root system.
Space plants 3 to 4 feet apart.
Support a patio tree with a stake that has a diameter at least as large as that of the stem. Fasten the trunk to the stake at several points with garden twine or green plastic tie tape. Check the ties periodically and loosen them as needed to accommodate growth.
Cape Mallow Care Tips
Unless you are growing cape mallow as a single-stem patio tree, which requires regular pruning to maintain its shape, this is a low-maintenance plant.
Light
The best location for cape mallow is in full sun. While it will grow in partial shade, it does not bloom as prolifically when it receives less than 8 hours of bright sunlight daily. Morning sun is preferable. In hot climates, some afternoon shade is acceptable.
Soil and Water
Cape mallow does not have any particular soil requirements but good drainage is key. In their native habitat, they grow in sandy soil. The pH should be between 6.0 and 8.0.
Water young plants regularly for 6 to 8 weeks after planting to encourage them to develop strong root systems. Reduce watering after the root systems are established. Although these plants are considered drought-tolerant, it helps to conserve soil moisture by spreading a 2-inch-thick layer of mulch around the base of each plant. If there is an extended dry period, water the plants slowly but deeply.
Unlike cape mallow in garden soil, container-grown plants need frequent and regular watering.
Temperature and Humidity
Cape mallow is a plant for warm climates. A light frost will cause its leaves to drop but it usually recovers in the spring. The plant is not winter-hardy below Zone 9.
Fertilizer
Despite their profuse bloom, cape mallow usually does not need repeated fertilization. In the early spring, after the new growth has started, feed the plant with a granular slow-release balanced fertilizer. If the plant seems to languish during the growing season, apply a liquid balanced fertilizer, following product label instructions, to give it a quick nutrient boost.
Pruning
In the spring, remove any damaged or dead branches. As the plant starts to grow, pinch back some of the new growth to encourage a bushier growth habit and heavier bloom. However, this needs to be done carefully to avoid accidentally snipping off slower buds (cape mallow blooms on new growth).
Once it starts blooming, no deadheading is required because the spent flowers drop on their own. Cape mallow is a self-cleaning plant.
A single-stem patio tree requires regular pruning to maintain the rounded, bushy top growth. Snip away wayward stems and long growth to maintain the desired size and shape. Do not shear the plant, which often prevents the formation of flower buds.
Potting and Repotting Cape Mallow
Small varieties of cape mallow are very well suited for container planting. Choose a pot at least 5 inches wider in diameter than the nursery pot and make sure it has large drainage holes. A container made of a heavy material (glazed ceramic or terra-cotta) is best as it does not topple over easily. Fill the container with well-draining potting mix. Keep in mind that container plants need more frequent watering and fertilizer than inground plants.
When grown as an annual, cape mallow won’t require repotting during its single growing season. Otherwise, repotting to a larger container with fresh potting mix will be required when the roots outgrow the pot.
Pests and Problems
Cape mallow is rarely affected by serious pests or diseases. The plant may attract aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, and Japanese beetles. As a member of the hollyhock family, the plant is susceptible to Puccinia malvacearum, also known as hollyhock or mallow rust, which is a fungal disease spread by windborne spores or transplants infected with the fungus.
How to Propagate Cape Mallow
Many cape mallows sold at nurseries are hybrid cultivars that would require vegetative propagation such as division or stem cuttings to produce plants that are true to the parent. However, the cultivars sold in the nursery trade are usually protected by a plant patent and thus it is prohibited to propagate them. If that does not apply to your plant, you can propagate it by stem cuttings. In the spring or early summer, take a 4- to 6-inch cutting and remove the bottom leaves. Dip the cut end of the cutting in rooting hormone. Fill a 4-inch pot with damp potting mix and insert the cutting in the mix. Cover it with a plastic dome or a perforated plastic bag and place it in a bright location but out of direct sunlight. Keep the soil evenly moist at all times. Once the cutting has rooted, remove the plastic cover and continue to let the cutting grow into a healthy little plant before transplanting it into the landscape.
Types of Cape Mallow
‘Elegant Lady’
This hybrid cultivar with magenta flowers grows 5 to 6 feet tall and 4-5 feet wide. The leaves are dark green and aromatic.
‘Slightly Strawberry’
The flowers on this cultivar of Anisodontea capensis are pink with deep red veins. With 2 to 3 feet in height and width, this is a short, compact variety of cape mallow.
‘Very Cranberry’
This cultivar stands out in two ways: with magenta-cranberry-colored flowers and unusually dark green foliage. The plant reaches 4 to 6 feet in height.
‘Tara’s Pink’
Unlike other cape mallow hybrids that were bred, this variety is the result of a spontaneous seedling hybrid, assumed to be Anisodontea x hypomandarum. It has pink flowers with a darker red-pink center and a larger, more lush foliage than other varieties. It grows up 6 feet tall and 4 wide.
Cape Mallow Companion Plants
Aster
Most asters bloom from late summer and into fall, providing late-season food for pollinators. Asters are easy to grow and come in a variety of shapes and sizes to suit gardens of all dimensions, shapes, and styles. It does not take a location with full sun all day to grow asters. Woodland asters only need morning sun and tolerate part shade. Zone 3-9
Bee Balm
This summer-blooming perennial is a sure bet for bringing pollinators to the garden. There are many different types of bee balm and new cultivars hit the market just about every year. Bee balms are vigorous plants. In small garden settings, some varieties outcompete less aggressive neighbors. To limit their spread, simply divide them or dig up and discard unwanted growth. Zone 3-9
Butterfly Weed
In late spring to late summer, butterfly weed blooms yellow, orange, or red. The narrow green leaves of the plant don’t catch the eye but they serve as an important food source for growing monarch butterfly larvae (caterpillars). If you are lucky, monarch butterflies will find your plants and lay their eggs on the thick, rugged leaves. The foliage of butterfly weed is not only a food source for the growing larvae—it’s also the perfect place to embark upon the process of metamorphosis. This repeating process begins in early summer and continues into the fall when the last generation of butterflies emerge from their chrysalises and migrate to warmer climates. Zone 3-11
Goldenrod
Goldenrod begins displaying its yellow blossoms beginning in late summer and continuing into fall. The goldenrod species vary in their growing conditions so make sure to pick a type that is adapted to your location. Zone 4-8
Frequently Asked Questions
- How do I overwinter cape mallow indoors?Place the pot in a south- or southwest-facing window in a room where the daytime room temperature ranges between 60 and 75 degrees F. Water it slowly and deeply when the soil feels dry and make sure not to overwater it. Move the plant back outdoors after all danger of frost has passed in the spring. To reacclimate it to the outdoors, start with a few hours every day before leaving the plant outside around the clock for the duration of the summer.
Place the pot in a south- or southwest-facing window in a room where the daytime room temperature ranges between 60 and 75 degrees F. Water it slowly and deeply when the soil feels dry and make sure not to overwater it. Move the plant back outdoors after all danger of frost has passed in the spring. To reacclimate it to the outdoors, start with a few hours every day before leaving the plant outside around the clock for the duration of the summer.
- What is cape mallow mirembe?‘Mirembe’ is a cultivar of cape mallow that was bred in Australia, where the plant is known as African rose and grown as a perennial shrub. ‘Mirembe’ has bi-colored pink blooms and a dense, compact growth habit.
‘Mirembe’ is a cultivar of cape mallow that was bred in Australia, where the plant is known as African rose and grown as a perennial shrub. ‘Mirembe’ has bi-colored pink blooms and a dense, compact growth habit.