Desert mallow is a shrubby, upright perennial native to the southwestern United States and Mexico. In the wild, desert mallow can be found brightening shrublands, roadsides, and dry, rocky slopes from Baja California to Utah. For gardeners in similar climates (zones 8-10), desert mallow makes an excellent addition to rocky, sloped, and arid landscapes.
Also known as desert hollyhock, the tough perennial is decorated with tall (1 to 2-foot) hollyhock-like spikes of sunset-orange flowers nearly year-round. In the right climate, desert mallow is adaptable and practically effortless. It grows best with lots of sun, well-drained soil, and limited watering.
Desert Mallow Overview
Where to Plant Desert Mallow
A native of the American Southwest, desert mallow thrives in full sun and easily tolerates intense heat. It’s adaptable to various soil types—including poor soils—but won’t tolerate wet feet. The tough perennial fares best in open growing spaces where increased airflow helps prevent disease. Plant it in a mixed border or bed for a reliable punch of color. Add it to a gravel or rock garden. Or, include it in a xeriscape space or low-water landscape near a patio where you can regularly enjoy its cheerful blossoms. Regardless of where you plant it, be mindful of nearby garden spaces. Desert mallow will spread from its original planting location via underground rhizomes if allowed.
How and When to Plant Desert Mallow
Desert mallow seeds can be planted outdoors in late winter or early spring. However, before you plant them, the seeds should be scarred and stored in the refrigerator for 30 days of coldstratification. Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch deep and 24 to 28 inches apart.
Transplants or seedlings can be planted almost any time of year, but an early fall planting allows the perennial to establish strong roots before winter. If necessary, amend your soil several weeks in advance. Desert mallow needs well-drained, sandy to rocky soil and will not tolerate heavy clay. Water your plant gently, but deeply 24 hours before planting to reduce transplant shock. When ready, dig a hole just as deep and twice as wide as the plant’s container. Place the plant in your prepared hole and backfill with the displaced soil, tamping down as you work to remove air pockets. Water deeply.
Desert Mallow Care Tips
Desert mallow grows in chaparral habitats and xeric shrublands, so it’s well-adapted to water limitations. The perennial is great for dry, water-wise gardens and sunny slopes where other plants may struggle.
Light
Desert mallow needs full sun (at least 6 hours daily) and ample air circulation. It will be happier on an open, exposed hillside than tucked between buildings or trees.
Soil and Water
Desert mallow is a true desert survivor, so it fares best in sandy or rocky soil. It’s adaptable to poor soils but cannot tolerate heavy, wet soil.
New desert mallow seedlings should be watered heavily, but infrequently so they can establish strong roots. Deep water the surrounding soil (not the plant itself) every 2 to 3 weeks and check the soil in between. Only water when the first 2 to 3 inches of the soil are dry. Once mature, desert mallow needs little if any supplemental water.
Temperature and Humidity
Desert mallow thrives in dry temperatures between 60˚ and 90˚ Fahrenheit and can tolerate temperatures as low as 15˚ F when moisture is not present. It does not tolerate high humidity and prefers annual rainfall levels within 5-20 inches.
Fertilizer
Desert mallow is adaptable and undemanding. It does not require fertilizer. In fact, fertilizing may cause more damage than good. At best, it could encourage your plant to focus on producing foliage instead of flowers. At worst, it could cause fertilizer burn that leads to wilting, yellowing, and brown leaf tips.
Pruning
Prune your desert mallow back to 6 to 12 inches from the ground once annually. Annual pruning will encourage bushiness, minimize spreading, and prevent your desert mallow from growing woody. This is best done in late summer or early fall after the plant stops flowering. While pruning, it’s best to wear gloves. Desert mallow foliage is covered in fine hairs that may irritate those with sensitive skin.
Potting and Repotting
Desert mallow is great for containers—especially if your garden soil is too heavy to be hospitable. Be sure to choose a container with excellent drainage that is large enough to accommodate its growth (at least 6 to 8 inches in diameter). Fill the container with a 1:1:1 mix of sand, perlite, and compost. Place your desert mallow plant in the container so it sits at the same level as it did in its previous container. Water gently, but deeply. You want the soil to be moist, but not wet.
Plan to repot your desert mallow every 2 to 3 years or whenever it outgrows its container. Opt for a new pot one size larger and filled with fresh potting mix. When you transplant, handle it gently. Desert mallow is prone to transplant shock. Wait until it is done flowering and water the plant deeply about 24 hours before repotting.
Pests and Problems
Desert mallow has no major issues with pests or diseases but watch for aphids and spider mites. Also, excessive moisture can lead to root rot and other fungal issues.
How to Propagate Desert Mallow
Desert mallow spreads easily on its own via seed and rhizomes. However, if you wish to propagate your own, wait until the flowers fade and harvest the brown, pinwheel-like seed pods. When the seed pods are dry, shake the seeds from the pods. Store the seeds in a cool, dry place or prep them for planting with scarification. To do this, score the hard coating of the seeds with sandpaper or soak your seeds in boiling water and let them stand for 8 to 10 hours (or overnight). Mix your seeds with sand and store them in the refrigerator for approximately 30 days. In late winter or early spring, plant them 24 to 48 inches apart and just below the surface (1/4 to 1/2 inch) of lightly moistened soil. Water your freshly planted seeds only occasionally while they germinate. The goal is to keep the soil evenly moist, but not wet.
Types of Desert Mallow
While there are about 40 to 60 different Sphaeralcea, there are only a handful of desert mallow cultivars. These vary mostly by flower color or native habitat.
‘Louis Hamilton’ Desert Mallow
The ‘Louis Hamiliton’ Sphaeralcea ambigua cultivar features deep coral, almost red flowers.
Mountain Apricot Mallow
Mountain apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua var. ambigua) is native to desert areas in southern and central California and grows at elevations between 500 and 8,200 feet. It has bright apricot flowers.
Rosy Apricot Mallow
Rosy apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambigua var. rosacea) has rosy, lavender-colored blooms. It grows primarily in the desert mountains at elevations between 500 and 2,600 feet.
Companion Plants for Desert Mallow
California Juniper
Junipers are versatile and tough, so they are perfect for adding color, texture, and privacy to gardens in zones 3-9. California juniper (Juniperus californica) in particular pairs beautifully with desert mallow because both can be found growing together in their native habitat. Plus, California juniper has blue-gray foliage and showy berries that make it very ornamental. It grows 10-15 feet tall in zones 8-10 and, once established, is exceptionally drought tolerant.
Feathery Cassia
Feathery cassia is an evergreen shrub with silvery branches and feather-like gray-green foliage. Like desert mallow, feathery cassia is incredibly drought-tolerant and low-maintenance. It has been known to survive on just two deep irrigations or rains per year and thrives when watered about once every other month. Feathery cassia likes full sun and well-drained soil that is sandy or rocky. It grows 3 to 8 feet tall in zones 8-11 and bears fragrant yellow flowers almost year-round.
Manzanita
Manzanita is an evergreen shrub that typically grows from 6 to 12 feet tall in zones 8-10 (although it can grow taller). Like desert mallow, they are often found growing in the semi-arid regions of the California Chaparral. Manzanita is known for its colorful red, purple, and gray bark and its tiny, apple-like fruits that give way to clusters of flowers from late winter to early spring. Manzanita is drought tolerant and thrives best in full sun or part shade.
Santa Rosa Island Sage
It’s well-known in garden circles that perennial salvias are versatile, showy, and easy to grow. Plus, with over 1,000 species to choose from, there’s one for almost any landscape. Santa Rosa Island sage (Salvia brandegeei), for example, is an exceptionally drought-tolerant and long-lived sage. It has a shrublike form and grows 4-6 feet tall in zones 8-10. It features dark green leaves and fragrant, pale blue or lavender flowers beginning in early spring.
Yarrow
Yarrow is a classic garden perennial known for its ruggedness. So, gardeners with tough conditions—like poor soil, cold winters, and hot summers—can still grow it. Plus, like desert mallow, yarrow is exceptionally drought tolerant. With its tall stems of colorful flowers and fern-like foliage, yarrow is perfect for borders, butterfly gardens, cottage gardens, and containers. It thrives in areas with full sun and well-drained soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Is desert mallow invasive?Desert mallow self-seeds and spreads via rhizomes, but is not considered invasive. Deadhead flowers and prune annually to minimize spreading. Pull up volunteer plants that grow where they are not wanted.
Desert mallow self-seeds and spreads via rhizomes, but is not considered invasive. Deadhead flowers and prune annually to minimize spreading. Pull up volunteer plants that grow where they are not wanted.
- Is desert mallow considered toxic?Desert mallow is not considered toxic to humans or animals. However, the plant's stem and foliage are covered in fine hairs that may irritate skin or eyes. It's wise to wear gloves when handling or pruning your desert mallow plants.
Desert mallow is not considered toxic to humans or animals. However, the plant's stem and foliage are covered in fine hairs that may irritate skin or eyes. It's wise to wear gloves when handling or pruning your desert mallow plants.
- Do desert mallow blooms make good cut flowers?Sadly, no. Desert mallow blooms are pretty, but don’t hold up for very long once they are cut. It’s best to enjoy them outside.
Sadly, no. Desert mallow blooms are pretty, but don’t hold up for very long once they are cut. It’s best to enjoy them outside.