Brighten up a hot, dry garden with easy-care desert mallow and you’ll be rewarded nearly year-round.
Desert mallowis a shrubby, upright perennial native to the southwestern United States and Mexico.
In the right climate, desert mallow is adaptable and practically effortless.
Credit: Denny Schrock
It grows best with lots of sun, well-drained soil, and limited watering.
Its adaptable to various soil typesincluding poor soilsbut wont tolerate wet feet.
The tough perennial fares best in open growing spaces where increased airflow helps prevent disease.
Credit: Denny Schrock
Plant it in a mixed border or bed for a reliable punch of color.
Add it to agravel or rock garden.
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.
Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch to 1/2 inch deep and 24 to 28 inches apart.
If necessary,amend your soilseveral weeks in advance.
Desert mallow needs well-drained, sandy to rocky soil andwill 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 plants container.
Credit: Denny Schrock
The perennial is great for dry, water-wise gardens and sunny slopes where other plants may struggle.
Light
Desert mallow needsfull 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.
Its adaptable topoor soilsbut cannot tolerate heavy, wet soil.
New desert mallow seedlings should be watered heavily, but infrequently so they can establish strong roots.
Only water when the first 2 to 3 inches of the soil are dry.
Once mature, desert mallow needs little if any supplemental water.
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 causefertilizer burnthat 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, its best to wear gloves.
Desert mallow foliage is covered in fine hairs that may irritate those with sensitive skin.
Fill the container with a 1:1:1 mix ofsand, perlite, and compost.
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 foraphidsandspider 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.
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.
Mix your seeds with sand andstore them in the refrigerator for approximately 30 days.
Water your freshly planted seeds only occasionally while they germinate.
The goal is to keep the soil evenly moist, but not wet.
These vary mostly by flower color or native habitat.
Louis Hamilton Desert Mallow
The Louis HamilitonSphaeralcea ambiguacultivar features deep coral, almost red flowers.
It has bright apricot flowers.
Rosy Apricot Mallow
Rosy apricot mallow (Sphaeralcea ambiguavar.rosacea) has rosy, lavender-colored blooms.
It grows primarily in the desert mountains at elevations between 500 and 2,600 feet.
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 cassiais an evergreen shrub with silvery branches and feather-like gray-green foliage.
Like desert mallow, feathery cassia isincredibly drought-tolerantand low-maintenance.
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.
Like desert mallow, they are often found growing in the semi-arid regions of the California Chaparral.
Manzanita is drought tolerant and thrives best in full sun or part shade.
Plus, with over1,000 species to choose from, theres 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
Yarrowis a classic garden perennial known for its ruggedness.
So, gardeners with tough conditionslike poor soil, cold winters, and hot summerscan still grow it.
Plus, like desert mallow, yarrow isexceptionally drought tolerant.
It thrives in areas with full sun and well-drained soil.
Frequently Asked Questions
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 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 blooms are pretty, but dont hold up for very long once they are cut.
Its best to enjoy them outside.
