tree mallow
Lavatera arborea
Cycle:
Herbaceous Perennial
Watering:
Average
Propagation:
Seed Propagation,Cutting,Layering Propagation,Division
Hardiness Zone:
8 - 10
Flowers:
Purple-pink Flowers
Sun:
Full sun,part shade
Fruits:
brown,tan Fruits Ready In Summer
Leaf:
Yes
Leaf Color:
green
Growth Rate:
High
Maintenance:
Moderate
Drought Tolerant:
Yes
Salt Tolerant:
Yes
Invasive:
Yes
Care Level:
Medium
watering
Tree mallow prefers to be watered regularly, and may need more watering in particularly hot and dry weather. Aim to water the plant at least once weekly, allowing the top 2 to 3 inches of soil to dry out before watering again. If the weather is hottest and dryest, water more often, if necessary, up to every other day. Always water thoroughly so that water seeps deeply into the soil until it runs out of the bottom of the container. When you do water, try to do so in the early morning or evening to reduce the risk of leaves getting scorched from the afternoon sun.
sunlight
Tree mallow prefers full sun and requires 8-10 hours of direct sunlight each day for optimal growth. If grown in partial shade, it will not produce as many flowers. Trees mallow needs more growing time in the sun during the spring, summer, and fall months to adequately produce colorful flowers. It’s important to ensure the plant is getting enough light as it is a fast-growing perennial shrub that takes well to pruning and shaping.
pruning
Tree mallow is a shrub that should be pruned in late spring to encourage fullness and branching. Start by cutting back the main branches by a third to promote new growth and encourage branching. Then thin out any dead or damaged branches and cut back any overly long stems. To create a bushy look for your tree mallow, thin out any interior stems that are overcrowded to allow for air and light circulation. Lastly, prune back any excess growth to maintain the desired size and shape of the shrub.