If you’re not familiar with rose mallow, get ready to be amazed, especially if you garden in a northern climate. This often overlooked native perennial offers all the exotic floral beauty of tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) but is tough enough to overwinter outdoors in areas as far north as Minnesota.
Like tropical hibiscus, rose mallow boasts huge, vibrantly colored flowers, some growing to the size of dinner plates. But once your hardy hibiscus bursts into bloom, it will continue flowering until the first frost and then return again in spring for a repeat performance. Despite its tolerance for cold weather, rose mallow also loves the heat and grows equally well in balmy southern climates.
Common rose mallow, swamp mallow, swamp hibiscus, dinner plate hibiscus; also shares the common name hardy hibiscus with Hibiscus syriacus.
Fast. New growth is slow to emerge from dormancy in spring, but plants shoot up rapidly once they take off, growing as much as an inch per day.
Mostly native to swampy areas, rose mallow prefers evenly moist, humus-rich soil. If necessary, mulch to help retain moisture.
Midsummer until the first frost. Although the flowers only last a day or two, rose mallow is a prolific rebloomer.
Broad, triangular, and deeply lobed. Usually medium green, but some cultivars have deep purple, coppery red, or blue-tinged foliage.
If you’ve noticed your beautiful African mallow shrub starting to droop, don’t panic! This vibrant plant can bounce back with the right care. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore all the potential reasons your African mallow is drooping and provide tips to nurse it back to good health.
Signs Your African Mallow is Drooping
Here are the telltale signs that your African mallow shrub is drooping
- Leaves and stems are wilting, bending downwards.
- Foliage looks limp and lacks perkiness.
- Growth is stunted, with poor vertical development.
- Flowers and buds are drooping downwards.
If you spot several of these symptoms, it’s likely your African mallow is struggling with an underlying issue. Time to switch to detective mode and get to the bottom of the problem!
Overwatering – the Most Common Culprit
The number one cause of drooping in African mallow shrubs is overwatering. These plants need moist (but not soggy) soil When overwatered, the roots are deprived of oxygen and can start rotting This prevents them from taking up water and nutrients properly, leading to weakened growth and drooping.
How to fix it:
- Check soil moisture before watering – only water when the top few inches are dry
- Ensure the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogging
- Use a fast-draining soil mix containing perlite or sand
- Cut back on watering frequency and amount
Underwatering Stress
While overwatering is the main issue a lack of water can also cause drooping. If the soil dries out too much between waterings the plant can become stressed and leaves start to wilt. This occurs especially during hot, dry weather.
How to fix it:
- Check soil moisture before watering
- Water thoroughly until it drains from the pot’s base
- Increase watering frequency in summer heat
- Use moisture-retentive soil to avoid drying out
Environmental Factors
Fluctuations in lighting, temperature, humidity and air flow can stress the plant, resulting in limp foliage. African mallows thrive in warm, bright and stable conditions.
How to fix it:
- Site in a warm spot with temperatures between 60-80°F
- Provide bright, indirect light avoiding direct sunlight
- Maintain steady temps, avoiding fluctuations
- Improve air circulation with a fan to prevent moisture buildup
Nutrient Deficiencies
A lack of important nutrients causes African mallow leaves to droop and yellow. These plants need a regular feeding of balanced fertilizer during spring and summer.
How to fix it:
- Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks in the growing season
- Top-dress annually with slow-release granular fertilizer
- Ensure soil is rich in organic matter for nutrient retention
Root Bound Plants
If left in the same pot for years, African mallows become pot bound. This restricts root development and causes drooping from lack of stability, water and nutrients.
How to fix it:
- Check if roots are circling the pot or emerging from drainage holes
- Repot annually in early spring into a container one size larger
- Loosen tangled roots and replant at the same level
Pests and Diseases
Spider mites, mealybugs, aphids and other sucking pests can weaken African mallows, causing drooping. Root rot and powdery mildew are two common fungal diseases.
How to fix it:
- Inspect for pests underneath leaves and treat with insecticidal soap
- Remove affected parts to control disease spread
- Improve air flow and water only at soil level to prevent diseases
- Use a fungicide for powdery mildew if infection is severe
How to Revive Your Drooping African Mallow
With some TLC, you can nurse your drooping African mallow back to good health. Here are some tips:
- Adjust watering to ensure moist but not wet soil
- Gradually transition to optimal lighting and temperatures
- Fertilize to correct any nutrient deficiencies
- Repot if root bound and clear out diseased roots
- Inspect and treat any pest problems
- Remove spent flowers and leaves to boost recovery
Be patient, as it takes time for the plant to recover. With proper care tailored to the specific cause, your African mallow will soon perk up again!
Encouraging a Healthy African Mallow
An ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure when growing African mallows. Here are some tips to keep your plant happy and healthy:
- Choose a spot with bright indirect light to mimic their native habitat
- Water thoroughly when the top few inches of soil become dry
- Use well-draining soil and avoid waterlogging
- Feed with a balanced fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during spring/summer
- Prune lightly in fall to remove dead growth and shape
- Monitor for pests like spider mites that can weaken the plant
- Repot every 1-2 years as needed into adequately sized containers
- Maintain warm temperatures between 60-80°F
By understanding your African mallow’s care needs and correcting any issues promptly, you can keep it looking lush and vibrant for years to come. No more drooping foliage – just a happy, thriving shrub to brighten your indoor or outdoor space!
What to look for when purchasing rose mallow plants:
When shopping for rose mallow, look for plants labeled as indeterminate, which indicates that the flowers are produced all the way up and down the stems and not just at the tip, like determinate varieties. Indeterminate bloomers, such as those in the Summerific® series from Proven Winners, will produce flowers for months on end, giving you a longer season of interest. Summerific® plants are not prone to setting seed, which can be a big plus if you don’t want your plants to self-sow in the garden.
Summerific® Perfect Storm hibiscus. Photo by: Proven Winners.
In spring or fall, as long as there is no danger of frost.
In full sun (at least 6 hours daily). In hot climates, it may be necessary to provide some afternoon shade to prevent scorching of the foliage. Also provide shelter from strong winds, which can damage the delicate, crepe-papery flowers. Because of rose mallow’s preference for wet soils, it thrives in low spots and wetter areas along streams or ponds. However, it will tolerate a wide range of soil types if kept well-watered.
Start seeds indoors in early spring and then transplant outdoors once the weather warms or purchase potted plants from a nursery. When planting, be sure to give plants plenty of elbow room to accommodate their eventual spread. If necessary, amend sandy or poor soil with compost or other organic matter before putting your plants in the ground.
Because of its colossal blooms, rose mallow makes a bold statement wherever you plant it, so be sure to use it judiciously so it won’t steal the show from the other plants in your garden. It’s best used as a backdrop for sun-loving groundcovers or plants with strappy foliage that will add nice textural contrast to the broad leaves. Get more ideas for good companion plants to grow with rose mallow.
Use in combination with spring bloomers such as creeping phlox or Jacobs Ladder. Since hardy hibiscus are late to emerge, plants like these can carry the workload for the first half of the year.
Water regularly and up to twice a day in hotter weather, especially if growing in a container. Wilting leaves are a sure sign that your plant needs a good soaking. To avoid leaf fungus and other foliar diseases, water during the early morning hours rather than late in the evening.
Once new growth appears in spring, sprinkle a slow-release organic plant food around the root zone and then supplement with a water-soluble plant food in early summer, when the buds begin form, to boost flower production.
When properly planted and cared for, you can get many flowers from one rose mallow plant (shown is Summerific® Cranberry Crush). Photo by: Proven Winners.
When you see new growth begin to emerge in spring, prune back the old woody stems to about 6 inches tall to make way for the new foliage. To stimulate branching and promote a bushier habit, you can prune the tips of the branches in early summer.
Deadheading of spent blooms isn’t necessary unless you want to prevent seedpods from forming.
In colder climates, apply a layer of mulch around your plants after they die back in the fall to provide an extra layer of insulation. While plants are dormant, water only enough to keep the soil moist.
Rose mallow growing in a pot can generally be left outdoors unless temperatures are expected to drop below 20 degrees F for a prolonged period of time. During a cold snap, take precautions by moving the pot to an unheated interior space, such as a garage or garden shed, until the temperatures warm up again.
Particularly vulnerable to Japanese beetles and sawflies. Leaf fungus can also be a problem but is easy to control by maintaining good air circulation around the plant and by removing diseased leaves.
ShrubsDiscover the right shrubs for your garden.
Summerific® Berry Awesome rose mallow. Photo by Proven Winners.
If you’re not familiar with rose mallow, get ready to be amazed, especially if you garden in a northern climate. This often overlooked native perennial offers all the exotic floral beauty of tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) but is tough enough to overwinter outdoors in areas as far north as Minnesota.
Like tropical hibiscus, rose mallow boasts huge, vibrantly colored flowers, some growing to the size of dinner plates. But once your hardy hibiscus bursts into bloom, it will continue flowering until the first frost and then return again in spring for a repeat performance. Despite its tolerance for cold weather, rose mallow also loves the heat and grows equally well in balmy southern climates.
On this page:
Common rose mallow, swamp mallow, swamp hibiscus, dinner plate hibiscus; also shares the common name hardy hibiscus with Hibiscus syriacus.
3 to 8 feet tall, 2 to 5 feet wide
Fast. New growth is slow to emerge from dormancy in spring, but plants shoot up rapidly once they take off, growing as much as an inch per day.
Mostly native to swampy areas, rose mallow prefers evenly moist, humus-rich soil. If necessary, mulch to help retain moisture.
Midsummer until the first frost. Although the flowers only last a day or two, rose mallow is a prolific rebloomer.
White, pink, red, or bi-colored, often with a contrasting eye.
Broad, triangular, and deeply lobed. Usually medium green, but some cultivars have deep purple, coppery red, or blue-tinged foliage.
Mallow: An Edible, Medicinal Marvel!
FAQ
Why is my African violet looking droopy?
Why is my African mask plant drooping?
Why has my plant gone floppy?
How much water does African Mallow need?
African mallow needs 0.8 cups of water every 9 days when it doesn’t get direct sunlight and is potted in a 5.0″ pot. Use our water calculator to personalize watering recommendations to your environment or download Greg for more advanced recommendations for all of your plants. Does your plant get direct sunlight?
What happens if a mallow plant goes untreated?
The spots may band together to form enlarged blotches if the disease goes untreated. The leaves may turn yellow and defoliation can occur. Prevent this disease by keeping your mallow’s foliage dry. Always water at the base of the plant, never from overhead. When planting, leave space between your mallow plants to allow for air circulation.
Is African Mallow easy to care for?
African mallow is generally considered an easy-to-care-for plant and makes a great choice for beginners! African mallow prefers for the soil to dry out between waterings and should be watered regularly.
What happens if a mallow leaves turn yellow?
The leaves may turn yellow and defoliation can occur. Prevent this disease by keeping your mallow’s foliage dry. Always water at the base of the plant, never from overhead. When planting, leave space between your mallow plants to allow for air circulation. Overcrowding creates the perfect environment for disease.