What they do
Native mallows provide accessible blooms that can help feed a variety of pollinators.
Plant profile
Mallows
Family Malvaceae (native genera)
Native mallows (the Malvaceae family) are easygoing wildflowers with open, nectar-rich blooms that can help support a steady stream of pollinators through the growing season.
Plant Type
Wildflowers (herbaceous perennials) > Mallows
Aliases
Mallows
Native Range
Native species occur across parts of Canada and the United States; choose locally native options when possible.
Bloom window
Varies by species; often blooms across the warmer months
OVERVIEW
About This Plant
Native mallows (family Malvaceae) are a flexible, beginner-friendly group of wildflowers that can fit into many gardens. Their open blooms are easy for a range of pollinators to use, and many species handle typical garden conditions once established.
If you’re choosing a mallow, focus on three things: (1) pick a species that’s native where you live, (2) match it to your light and moisture, and (3) give it enough space and sun to flower well. In a schoolyard or home garden, even a small clump can add colour and steady pollinator activity.
For best results, avoid pesticide use, keep the soil from staying soggy, and let the plant keep some structure into the cooler months when possible. That simple approach supports both the plant and the small wildlife that uses it.
Best role for pollinators
Pollinator-friendly gardens, schoolyard habitat patches, and low-fuss flower beds
FAST FACTS
Quick Details
Essential stats and requirements for quick reference.
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Also known as | Mallows |
| Bloom window | Varies by species; often blooms across the warmer months |
| Typical height | Varies by species; from low clumps to taller, airy plants |
| Pollinators supported | Bees, Butterflies, Flies |
| Light & moisture | Generally best in sun to part sun with average moisture (species vary) |
| Best roles for pollinators | Pollinator-friendly gardens, schoolyard habitat patches, and low-fuss flower beds |
SUMMARY
If You Remember Three Things
A quick scan of what they do, what they need, and the best first step.
What they need
A bright spot, room to grow, and soil that isn’t constantly soggy.
One best action
Plant a native mallow that’s sold for your area and give it sun and decent drainage.
IMPACT
Why Plant This?
Native mallows are a practical way to add pollinator-friendly flowers that are easy to spot, easy to grow, and easy for many insects to use.
Many mallows have a distinctive central “pollen column,” which makes their flowers look simple but surprisingly efficient for visiting insects.
Key Impacts
What it Supports
- Open, simple flowers can be used by many different pollinators.
- Native plant choices can fit naturally into local food webs without extra fuss.
- A small patch of flowers can make a noticeable difference in a schoolyard or home garden.
RECOGNITION
Identification Guide
Use these quick clues to recognize mallows in the garden.
Leaves
Often rounded or gently lobed; sometimes softly hairy; leaves may look slightly heart-shaped on some species.
Flowers
Five petals with a prominent central column; colours vary by species and cultivar, often in soft pinks, purples, or whites.
Fruits
Typically forms small, rounded seed structures after flowering; leave some to mature if you want natural reseeding.
LOCATION
Where It Grows
Native environments and the best spots to place it in your landscape.
Habitats
- Sunny openings
- Meadows and edges
- Roadsides and disturbed areas (some species)
- Garden settings that mimic open, sunny habitat
Where it is often used
- Pollinator patch in a sunny bed
- Schoolyard habitat garden
- Mixed perennial border
- Naturalized edge planting (where appropriate)
SEASONALITY
When It Blooms
Notes on bloom windows and how this plant helps pollinators across the seasons.
Bloom window
Bloom timing depends on the species, but many native mallows flower during the warmer part of the year.
Bloom Season Role: Reliable, open flowers that are easy for many pollinators to use
Seasonal benefits
- Helps keep flowers available when early blooms fade
- Pairs well with spring and fall bloomers for a longer season of support
REQUIREMENTS
What It Needs
The right mix of sun, soil, and space for healthy growth.
Sun exposure
Aim for a bright location; more sun usually means more flowers.
Soil type
Most do well in average garden soil with decent drainage; avoid heavy, waterlogged spots.
Moisture needs
Water to establish, then water during long dry spells; don’t keep the soil constantly wet.
Planting method
Plant in spring or fall; give space for airflow and mature width.
Mulching tips
Use a light mulch layer to reduce weeds and hold moisture, keeping mulch off the crown/stems.
GARDENING GUIDE
How to Grow It
Simple steps to plant, prune, and maintain healthy trees without pesticides.
Planting tips
- Pick a sunny to partly sunny spot with soil that drains reasonably well.
- Loosen the soil and remove tough weeds before planting.
- Plant at the same depth as the pot and water in well.
- Add a thin layer of mulch, leaving a small gap around the base of the plant.
- Water regularly for the first few weeks while roots settle in.
Seasonal care
- Deadhead (remove spent blooms) if you want a tidier look and more flowering; leave some seedheads if you want reseeding.
- Stake only if a taller species flops in wind or shade.
- Cut back old stems after they’ve finished for the season; consider leaving some standing until spring for shelter.
- Divide or thin clumps if they get crowded over time (timing depends on the species).
What not to do
- Planting in deep shade and getting lots of leaves but few flowers.
- Keeping soil constantly wet, especially in heavy clay.
- Using broad-spectrum pesticides when pests show up.
- Crowding plants so air can’t move through them.
Pairings
Best Pairings for Season-Long Bloom
Pairing ideas to keep pollinators fed throughout the growing season.
Early Bloom
- Native spring ephemerals
- Early-blooming native violets
- Early native woodland or edge flowers suited to your light
Mid-Season Bloom
- Native coneflowers
- Native bee balm
- Native penstemons
Late-Season Bloom
- Native asters
- Native goldenrods
- Native grasses for structure
“Mallows” is a family-level group, so the best choice is to pick a native mallow species sold for your area and your garden conditions.
GLOSSARY
Key Terms
A few helpful terms you might see when shopping for or planting native mallows:
Glossary terms are being added.
What You Can Do
Make a difference for native habitats.
Turn this knowledge into action. Whether you plant a single pot or a whole garden, you are building a vital bridge for local biodiversity.
Join the movement to restore our shared habitats.