This shrub is particularly well adapted to growing in pots. For that, use planting or horticultural soil mix.
It is possible to grow Anisodontea indoors. For best results, it is best to simulate a period of dormancy: keep the plant in a cool, well-lit spot, that doesn’t freeze.
Caring for Your African Mallow Shrub: A Complete Guide
With its trailing stems covered in vibrant blooms, the African mallow shrub (Anisodontea capensis) brings exotic tropical flair to gardens. This South African native thrives with proper care. In this article, I’ll share tips to help your African mallow shrub prosper indoors or out.
Growing Conditions for African Mallow Shrubs
When situating your African mallow. opt for a spot with these preferred conditions
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Full sun to partial shade – At least 6 hours of direct light keeps African mallows blooming profusely. Morning sun is ideal.
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Well-draining soil – Rich, loamy soil amended with compost provides nutrients. But excellent drainage is crucial to prevent root rot.
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Warm temperatures – African mallows flourish in USDA Zones 9-11 where winters stay above freezing. Provide warmth and move containers indoors if you live where frost occurs.
Watering Your African Mallow Shrub
Proper watering is key to growing a healthy African mallow shrub. Here are best practices:
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Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil becomes dry. African mallows like consistent moisture.
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Avoid overwatering, which leads to root rot. Allow soil to dry slightly between waterings.
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Water at the base of plants, not from overhead. Wet foliage encourages disease.
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In very hot weather, water daily. Reduce frequency in cooler months.
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Container plants need more frequent watering than in-ground shrubs. Monitor soil moisture daily.
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If leaves droop, water immediately. This signals underwatering.
With a weekly deep watering of about 1-2 inches, outdoor African mallows thrive. Adjust frequency based on climate, container vs. in ground planting, and season.
Fertilizing Your African Mallow
Feed your African mallow shrub with a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the active growing season of spring through fall. This fuels lush growth and prolific blooms. In winter, fertilizing is not necessary.
When applying fertilizer, always follow package directions. Never over-fertilize, as this can damage plant roots. Switching to a slow-release fertilizer in early spring provides nutrients for months.
Ideal Soil for African Mallows
African mallows flourish in nutrient-rich, well-draining soil. Here are tips for providing ideal growing conditions:
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Amend native soil with compost or aged manure to increase fertility and moisture retention.
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If drainage is poor, mix in coarse sand or perlite to create a loose, porous texture.
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A pH between 6.5-7.5 is preferred, but African mallows tolerate a wide range.
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Replenish the soil yearly by top-dressing with compost in early spring.
With a fertile, loamy soil base and excellent drainage, your African mallow will thrive!
Pruning African Mallow Shrubs
Pruning is important for keeping African mallow shrubs looking their best. Follow these proper pruning practices:
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Remove dead or damaged branches at any time to improve appearance.
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Clip spent flower stems back to a leaf node after blooms fade to encourage reblooming.
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In early spring, prune back overgrown or leggy stems to shape the plant.
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For the lush, full look, prune lightly in mid-late spring to promote dense branching.
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Never shear African mallows like a hedge. This destroys their natural shape.
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Use clean, sharp pruners to avoid damaging stems. Make cuts just above leaf nodes.
With annual light pruning in spring, your African mallow will stay neat and provide maximum flowers.
Pest Prevention and Problems
When properly cared for, African mallows are not plagued by many issues. Stay vigilant for these potential concerns:
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Aphids – Check leaf undersides for these tiny sap-sucking insects. Use insecticidal soap sprays to treat.
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Spider Mites – Speckling or stippling of foliage indicates spider mite damage. Apply neem oil or soapy water to control outbreaks.
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Root Rot – Overwatering causes roots to rot. Allow soil to dry before watering again and improve drainage.
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Powdery Mildew – This fungal disease coats leaves with white powdery growth. Increase air circulation and avoid wetting foliage.
By providing optimum growing conditions and promptly addressing any problems, you can keep African mallow shrubs looking fantastic.
Overwintering Your African Mallow Indoors
If you live where frost occurs, African mallow shrubs must be moved indoors for winter. Follow these tips:
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Begin acclimating plants to indoor conditions in early fall by moving them inside for short periods each day.
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Select a bright location near a sunny window for overwintering. Supplement with a grow light if insufficient natural light.
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Water sparingly, allowing the soil to almost dry out between waterings. Humidity is lower indoors.
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Stop fertilizing in late fall so growth slows. Resume in spring after moving plants outside.
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Monitor for pests like spider mites that thrive indoors. Treat promptly to keep infestations in check.
With proper lighting, reduced watering, and pest monitoring, you can successfully overwinter containerized African mallows until warm weather returns.
Growing African mallow shrubs is easy and rewarding when you meet their basic care needs. Follow these tips for lighting, watering, fertilizing, pruning, and pest prevention to keep your plants thriving indoors or out. With the right care, this unique tropical shrub will blossom abundantly, adding vibrant color to your garden.
All there is to know about cape mallow
Anisodontea, also called Cape mallow, is a beautiful shrub that blooms generously over an extended portion of the year.
Native to South Africa, it grows particularly well in southern temperate climates or along the Atlantic coast.
Even though its foliage is evergreen, a cold spell that lasts more than a couple days will make it lose its leaves. That’s why it is recommended to leave this plant outdoors only if winters are very mild.
Among the most common and favored varieties, Anisodontea capensis, also called dwarf pink hibiscus, is famed for its pink flowers with a red center. There are also Anisodontea hypomadarum which has magnificent pink blooms, and Anisodontea malvastroides which boasts pastel pink flowers.
The name “Anisodontea” comes from the greek word aniso which means “uneven” and odon which means “without teeth”.
Pruning and caring for Anisodontea cape mallows
It is best to prune at the very beginning of spring to spur blooming.
The ideal pruning window is from the end of winter to the very beginning of spring.
- Cut back drastically, but always leave a few pairs of leaves at the base of the stem.
- Cutting cape mallows back helps favor summer blooming.
- Remove dead wood.
Water your cape mallow only in case of prolonged dry spells and/or heat waves.
- Water in the evening, around the base of the plant, to avoid losing water through evaporation.
- Potted cape mallow requires very regular watering. Water as soon as the surface soil is dry.
- Provide for regular watering over the first year after planting.
Add granulated flower shrub fertilizer in spring.
Overall, caring for cape mallow is straightforward and easy.
Anisodontea – Cape Mallow care – Abundant flowers for every season!
FAQ
How do you care for African mallow?
How do you care for a mallow bush?
Do you cut back mallow in the fall?
How to care for a mallow plant?
How do you care for African Mallow?
Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick! African mallow is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time. Replenish them with a gentle organic fertilizer or compost every 1-2 months depending on your location and season.
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?
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.
Can African Mallow grow in potting soil?
African mallow does best in well-draining soil. A good soil will contain lots of organic matter such as coco coir as well as perlite or vermiculite to help with drainage. Adding a handful of perlite to regular store-bought potting soil should do the trick! African mallow is a fast growing plant and may deplete the nutrients in its soil over time.