Species tree mallow
Magenta flowers with black center pink anthers, lime buds, lime stems, green leaves yellow midrib and veins.

tree mallow

Lavatera arborea

Tree mallow (Lavatera arborea) is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae. It is an evergreen shrub growing up to 3 meters tall with deeply cut, velvety leaves and white or pink flowers. It is native to the Mediterranean and Macaronesian islands, but is also found in Australia, South Africa and the USA. It is popularly grown for its decorative foliage and flowers, making it a great addition to gardens, especially during the summer months. Tree mallow is easy to care for and drought tolerant, making it an excellent choice for those wanting low maintenance gardens.

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.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Lavatera arborea typically begins in July and continues through September.

Starts Flowering

Tree mallow typically starts flowering in June.

Harvest Fruit

The harvesting season for Lavatera arborea typically begins in July and continues through September.

Hardiness Map