The African mallow, also known as Anisodontea capensis, is a beautiful flowering shrub native to South Africa. This hardy plant can grow to impressive heights in the right conditions, often reaching up to 6 feet tall! Here is a deeper look at this eye-catching shrub and how tall you can expect it to grow in your landscape.
Overview of the African Mallow
The African mallow is part of the Malvaceae family which contains many stunning ornamental plants like hibiscus and cotton. This flowering shrub goes by several common names including Cape mallow, Malva, and Umvubu lily. It’s a popular garden plant in South Africa where it thrives in the rocky grasslands and bushveld areas.
Some key traits of the African mallow include
-
Plant Type: Perennial shrub, can be grown as an annual in some zones.
-
Light Needs: Full sun is best, can tolerate light shade.
-
Mature Height: Grows 2 to 6 feet tall at maturity.
-
Bloom Time Spring through fall,
-
Flowers: Large showy blooms in shades of pink, white, purple.
-
Uses Specimen plant, mass planting, containers, borders
With its fast growth rate and profuse blooming nature, the African mallow makes a superb flowering hedge or backdrop plant in landscaping designs. It can also be grown in containers on porches and patios.
Growing Conditions for African Mallow
To achieve maximum height with the African mallow, some key growing conditions need to be met. Here are the ideal requirements for this plant.
Sunlight
The African mallow thrives in full sun locations. It should receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. More sun exposure results in a taller, fuller growth habit. These plants will tolerate light shade but may become leggy and less vigorous.
Soil
Well-draining soil is crucial for the African mallow. These shrubs dislike siting in wet, soggy earth which can lead to root rot. Rocky, sandy soils that drain freely are ideal. Amending clay soils with compost will improve drainage.
Water
Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow it dry slightly between waterings. Drought and dry spells will cause stunted growth. Deep weekly soakings are better than frequent light watering.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced fertilizer or one higher in phosphorus in spring when new growth begins. This fuels the rapid growth rate of this plant. Slow release fertilizer can be added at planting time and reapplied midsummer.
Temperature
As a South African native, the African mallow needs warm temperatures to thrive. It grows best in USDA Zones 9-11. Where it’s marginally hardy in Zone 8, provide winter protection. It may be grown as an annual in cooler climates.
Expected Mature Height
When provided with optimal growing conditions, the African mallow will reach its full height potential. Here is what to expect:
-
Container-grown plants: 2 to 3 feet
-
In-ground shrubs: 4 to 6 feet tall
Several factors affect the mature size, including weather, soil quality, and sun exposure. Well-cared for plants in Zone 9 or warmer often hit the upper end of their height range. Those grown in partial shade or containers tend to max out at 2 to 4 feet tall.
To encourage the most vigorous growth possible, situate this plant in the sunniest part of your landscape. Select a site with fertile, well-draining soil. Amend if needed and keep evenly moist. Apply balanced fertilizer at planting and again midseason. With this care, your African mallow will impress with both its height and copious blooms.
Tips for Growing a Tall African Mallow
Follow these tips if your goal is to maximize the height of your African mallow:
-
Give it plenty of space for growth. Place new plants 3-4 feet apart.
-
Stake or trellis tall-growing varieties if needed.
-
Prune lightly after flowering to promote bushy new growth.
-
Pinch back leggy stems to encourage fullness.
-
Watch for pests like spider mites that can slow growth.
-
Grow in raised beds if your soil is poor draining.
-
Protect from winter dieback in marginal climates.
-
Increase water and fertilizer during rapid growth periods.
With the right care, you can grow an African mallow shrub over 6 feet tall, turning it into a stunning focal point and flowering hedge for your garden. Its fast growth rate and minimal maintenance requirements make it an excellent choice for warm climates.
Growing African Mallow as an Annual
Gardeners in cooler climates can enjoy the African mallow as an annual flower. When started indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost, these fast-growing plants will reach mature heights during one season.
Here are some tips for growing African mallow as an annual:
-
Start seeds indoors in early spring.
-
Harden off seedlings before transplanting outside.
-
Space plants 12-18 inches apart in full sun areas.
-
Pinch back tips to encourage bushiness.
-
Apply liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.
-
Remove spent blooms to prolong flowering.
-
Pull up plants after first frost.
Grown as an annual, the African mallow may only reach 2-4 feet tall. But you’ll still get a season of vibrant color and interest from these low-maintenance plants.
No matter which planting zone you garden in, the African mallow is sure to impress. Follow the tips above to get the tallest, most vigorous growth possible from this beautiful South African native.
:max_bytes(150000):strip_icc()/tall-annuals-for-impact-1401929-13-4e3e2f40c85e459d9850afa93402ac24.jpeg)
Anisodontea scabrosa (L.) Bates
Family: Malvaceae
Common names: rough-leaf African mallow, sand rose, pink mallow, hairy mallow (Eng.); sandroos, pienk-kiesieblaar, harigemalva (Afr.)
Who can resist a bright cheerful shrub that flowers throughout the year? This mallow is ideally suited for home gardens being able to withstand coastal conditions and frost.
Anisodontea scabrosa is an evergreen perennial shrub of variable size but reaching heights of 2-3m. It has an upright branching habit with partially woody stems.
The aromatic leaves are soft with prominent veins, stiff hairs and are often sticky. The leaves are variable in shape mostly 3 lobed or elliptic and toothed; 20 – 70mm long.
Open, hibiscus-like blooms are light to dark pink 20 – 25mm in diameter; flowering all year but mostly during spring and early summer (September to December).
The fruit is 9-15 chambered, dry and dehiscent (opens spontaneously when ripe) producing small black seeds.
Anisodontea scabrosa has a wide distribution and is commonly found. Its status is therefore considered Least Concern.
Indigenous to South Africas winter rainfall areas, they are found widely distributed in sunny, sheltered, bushy places along the coast from Saldanha Bay, around the Cape Peninsula up to the Eastern Cape and KwaZulu-Natal. Anisodontea scabrosa grows in diverse soils, often in disturbed ground but chiefly on coastal sands at low altitudes. They are hardy plants able to withstand frost.
Derivation of name and historical aspects
The name Anisodontea comes from the Greek aniso, referring to the leaves which are unevenly toothed. The species name scabrosa is derived from the Latin scaber, meaning rough to the touch, as felt in the harshly hairy leaves. The family Malvaceae has many important commercial agricultural crops including cotton (Gossypium), cacao and kenaf (stokroos in Afrikaans) which is cultivated for its fiber in many countries including South Africa. Well known garden shrubs such as Hibiscus and Abutilon are included in the family.
There are 21 species of Anisodontea in South Africa, predominantly in the karoo and fynbos.
Anisodontea scabrosa is sticky and smells of tar – for these reasons it is said to be unpalatable to grazing animals and preying insects (W.P.U Jackson, 1980). Honey bees and carpenter bees frequent the flowers.
Use as a decorative garden plant. It is a rewarding shrub for the home garden with year round blossoms. Plants respond well to pruning and long shoots can be trained into standards or topiary. Very suitable for growing as a pot plant and they can be used as bonsai specimens.
Excellent for the indigenous garden, Anisodontea scabrosa can form a delightful informal hedge in a cottage-style garden with its showy pink flowers and fresh green foliage. In a more formal setting they can be clipped to shape.
Grow from either seed sown in autumn; or tip and stem cuttings taken in spring and summer once the new shoots have become semi-hard. Use a well drained sandy soil medium. Transplant young plants before the new seasons growth; they do not handle too much disturbance at a later stage.
As in the wild, it should be grown in a well drained, warm, sunny spot with free air flow. They do not favour humid climates with hot wet summers. Should the plants not be well aired, white-fly may become a possible pest.
They tolerate light shade, but flower better in full sun. Feed with a slow release 3.1.5 for vigorous growth and water regularly throughout summer to promote abundant flowering. Being frost tolerant they are able to grow away from the coast.
- Bean, A. & Johns, A. 2005. Stellenbosch to Hermanus. South African Wild Flower Guide 5. Botanical Society of South Africa, Cape Town.
- Jackson, W.P.U. 1980. Wild Flowers of the Fairest Cape. Howard Timmins Publishers, Cape Town.
- http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Malvaceae http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kenaf
- Leistner, O.A. (ed.). 2000. Seeds plants of southern Africa: families and genera. Strelitzia 10. National Botanical Institute, Pretoria.
- Nichols, G. 2008.The mallow thats pretty in pink (Anisodontea scabrosa): the indigenous garden. Farmers Weekly. March 2008.
- Trinder-Smith, T., Maytham Kidd, M. & Anderson, F. 2006. Wild Flowers of the Table Mountain National Park. South African Flower Guide 12. Botanical Society of South Africa, Cape Town.
Plant Type: Shrub
SA Distribution: Eastern Cape, KwaZulu-Natal, Northern Cape, Western Cape
Soil type: Sandy, Clay, Loam
Flowering season: Spring, Early Summer, Winter
PH: Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Flower colour: Purple, Pink
Aspect: Full Sun
Gardening skill: Average
Anisodontea – Cape Mallow care – Abundant flowers for every season!
FAQ
How do you care for African mallow?
Do mallow plants come back every year?
Do mallow plants spread?
Where does mallow grow best?