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Summary
Bloom Color: Pink, White. Main Bloom Time: Early fall, Late summer, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Physical Characteristics
Malva moschata is a PERENNIAL growing to 0.8 m (2ft 7in) by 0.6 m (2ft) at a medium rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from July to August, and the seeds ripen from August to September. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil. The plant can tolerates strong winds but not maritime exposure.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade; Meadow; Hedgerow;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Flowers Leaves Seed
Edible Uses:
Leaves - raw or cooked[K]. A mild pleasant flavour[K]. The leaves are mucilaginous and fairly bland, we use them in bulk in summer salads[K]. They make a very good perennial substitute for lettuce in a salad, producing fresh leaves from spring until the middle of summer, or until the autumn from spring germinating plants[K]. Flowers - raw[K]. A very decorative addition to the salad bowl, they have a very mild flavour[K]. Seed - raw. Best used before it is fully mature, the seed has a pleasant nutty taste but it is rather small and fiddly to harvest[K].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiphlogistic Astringent Demulcent Diuretic Emollient Expectorant Laxative Poultice
Salve Urinary
All parts of the plant are antiphlogistic, astringent, demulcent, diuretic, emollient, expectorant, laxative, salve[4, 7, 9, 21, 46, 222, 238]. The leaves and flowers can be eaten as part of the diet, or a tea can be made from the leaves, flowers or roots[222]. The leaves and flowers are the main part used, their demulcent properties making them valuable as a poultice for bruise, inflammations, insect bites etc, or taken internally in the treatment of respiratory system diseases or inflammation of the digestive or urinary systems[4, 238]. They have similar properties, but are considered to be inferior, to the common mallow (M. sylvestris) and the marsh mallow (Althaea officinalis) and are seldom used internally[4]. The plant is an excellent laxative for young children[7].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Dye Fibre
Cream, yellow and green dyes can be obtained from the plant and the seed heads[168]. A fibre obtained from the stems is used for cordage, textiles and paper making[115].
Special Uses
Food Forest Scented Plants
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Landscape Uses:Border A very easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil[1], though it prefers a reasonably well-drained and moderately fertile soil in a sunny position[200]. Hardy to about -25°c[187]. A very ornamental plant[1]. It is very variable in form, especially with regard to the degree of laciniation of the leaves[17]. The crushed leaves have a musk-like smell[245]. Plants are generally quite short-lived though they can self-sow freely when in a suitable position and usually more than maintain themselves[233, K]. If the plant is pruned back to the main branches as it comes into flower, then it will produce a fresh flush of leaves in late summer for salad use[K]. A good plant for the summer meadow[24]. Plants seem to be immune to the predations of rabbits[233]. Prone to infestation by rust fungus[200]. Special Features:
Attractive foliage, Edible, Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, Naturalizing. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 8 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures.
Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat.
The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C).
At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days).
For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. An evergreen. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
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Propagation
Seed - best sown in early spring in a cold frame. The seed germinates quickly and easily. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in their permanent positions in the early summer[K]. If you have sufficient seed then it can be sown outdoors in situ in the middle to late spring. Basal cuttings in late spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Cuttings of side shoots, July/August in a cold frame[111].
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
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| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Abelmoschus esculentus | Okra | Annual | 1.0 |
5-11
| | LMH | N | M | 4 | 3 | 2 |
| Abelmoschus manihot | Aibika | Perennial | 3.0 |
8-11
| F | LMH | N | M | 4 | 1 | 2 |
| Abelmoschus moschatus | Musk Mallow,Musk Okra | Perennial | 2.0 |
8-11
| F | LMH | N | M | 2 | 3 | 3 |
| Abroma augusta | Cotton Abroma. Perennial Indian Hemp. | Shrub | 3.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | N | M | 0 | 3 | 4 |
| Abutilon megapotamicum | Trailing Abutilon | Shrub | 2.0 |
7-10
| F | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 0 | 0 |
| Abutilon ochsenii | | Shrub | 4.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Abutilon pictum | Abutilon, Parlour Maple, Flowering Maple, Spotted | Shrub | 5.0 |
8-10
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Abutilon purpurascens | | Shrub | 2.4 |
8-11
| | LMH | SN | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Abutilon species | | Shrub | 3.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Abutilon theophrasti | China Jute, Velvetleaf, Butterprint Buttonweed Jute, China Mallow, Indian Velvet Leaf | Annual | 1.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | SN | DM | 3 | 2 | 4 |
| Abutilon vitifolium | | Shrub | 8.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Abutilon x hybridum | Chinese Lantern, Flowering Maple | Shrub | 3.0 |
9-11
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | 0 |
| Abutilon x milleri | Trailing Abutilon | Shrub | 3.0 |
7-10
| | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Abutilon x suntense | | Shrub | 8.0 |
7-10
| F | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 0 | |
| Adansonia digitata | Baobab, Judas Fruit, Monkey Bread Tree | Tree | 20.0 |
10-12
| S | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 3 | 4 |
| Alcea rosea | Hollyhock | Perennial | 2.4 |
5-9
| F | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Althaea cannabina | Palm-leaf marshmallow | Perennial | 1.8 |
4-8
| | LMH | N | DM | 0 | 0 | 1 |
| Althaea officinalis | Marsh Mallow, Common marshmallow | Perennial | 1.2 |
3-7
| | LMH | N | DM | 5 | 5 | 3 |
| Bombax ceiba | Red Silk Cotton Tree, Kapok Tree | Tree | 25.0 |
10-12
| M | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 2 | 4 |
| Burretiodendron hsienmu | Hsienmu wood | Tree | 35.0 |
10-12
| S | LMH | N | M | 0 | 0 | 4 |
| Callirhoe digitata | Finger Poppy Mallow, Winecup | Perennial | 0.9 |
4-8
| | L | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Callirhoe involucrata | Poppy Mallow, Purple poppymallow, Winecup, Finger Poppy Mallow | Perennial | 0.2 |
4-8
| M | L | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 0 |
| Callirhoe leiocarpa | Tall Poppy-Mallow | Annual | 0.9 |
5-9
| | L | N | DM | 2 | 0 | |
| Ceiba aesculifolia | Pochote | Tree | 25.0 |
10-12
| M | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 1 | 4 |
| Ceiba pentandra | Kapok Tree, Cotton Tree, Suma'ma | Tree | 50.0 |
10-12
| F | MH | N | DM | 3 | 3 | 5 |
| Clappertonia ficifolia | Bolo Bolo | Shrub | 2.5 |
10-12
| F | LM | N | MWe | 0 | 1 | 4 |
| Cola acuminata | Cola Nut, Kola, Bissy Nut | Tree | 20.0 |
10-12
| M | LMH | N | M | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Cola nitida | Cola Nut, Kola, Bissy Nuts | Tree | 20.0 |
10-12
| S | LMH | SN | DM | 3 | 4 | 2 |
| Durio dulcis | Durian Marangang, Merangang, Red Durian, Tutong, Lahong | Tree | 30.0 |
11-12
| M | LMH | N | M | 4 | 0 | 2 |
| Durio zibethinus | Durian | Tree | 30.0 |
10-12
| M | LMH | N | M | 5 | 1 | 2 |
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Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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