Mallow Species, Cultivation and Medicinal Uses

Native to Europe, Western Asia and North America, it can be found growing in hedgebanks, field edges, and on road sides and wastelands in sunny situations.

The ancient Latin name given to this herb by Pliny was 'malacho', which was probably derived from 'malachi', the Greek word meaning "to soften', after the mallow's softening and healing properties. Young mallow shoots were eaten as vegetables, and it was still to be found on vegetable lists in Roman times. Used in the Middle Ages for its calming effect as an antidote to aphrodisiacs and love-potions. The shape of its seed rather than its flowers suggested the folk name.

SPECIES

Common Mallow

Also known as High Mallow, Cheese Flower and Country Mallow. Biennial. Ht 45-90cm (18-36in), spread 60cm (24in). Flower, dark pink or violet form, early summer to autumn. Mid-green leaves, rounded at the base, ivy shaped at stem.

Malva rotundifolia

Dwarf Mallow

Also known as Cheese Plant,

Low Mallow and Blue Mallow. Annual. Ht 15-30cm (6-12in), a creeper. Purplish-pink, trumpet-shaped flowers from early summer to mid-autumn. Leaves rounded, slightly lobed and greenish. North American native.

Malva moschata

Musk Mallow

Perennial. Ht 30-80cm (12- 32ins), spread 60cm (24in). Rose/pink flowers (sometimes white), late summer to early autumn. Mid-green leaves- kidney-shaped at base, deeply divided at stem - emit musky aroma in warm weather < >r when pressed.

CULTIVATION

Propagation

Seed

Sow in prepared seed or plug trays in the autumn. Cover lightly with compost (not Perlite). Winter outside, covered with glass. Germination is erratic but should take place in the spring. Plant out seedlings when large enough to handle, 60cm (24in) apart.

Cuttings

Take cuttings from firm basal shoots in late spring or summer. When hardened off the following spring, plant out 60cm (24in) apart into a prepared site.

Pests and Diseases

Mallows can catch the hollyhock rust. There is also a fungus that produces leaf spots and a serious black canker on the stems. If this occurs dig up the plants and destroy them. This is a seed-borne fungus and may be carried into the soil, so change planting site the following season.

Maintenance

Spring: Take softwood cuttings from young shoots.

Summer: Trim after flowering.

Autumn: Sow seed.

Winter: Hardy enough.

Garden Cultivation

Mallows are very tolerant of site, but prefer a well-drained and fertile soil (if too damp they may well need staking in summer), and a sunny position (though semi-shade will do). Sow where it is to flower from late summer to spring. Press gently into the soil, 60cm (24in) apart, and cover with a light compost. Cut back stems after flowering, not only to promote new growth, but also to keep under control and encourage a second flowering. Cut down the stems in autumn.

Harvest

Harvest young leaves for fresh use as required throughout the spring. For use in potpourris, gather for drying in the summer after first flowering.

CONTAINER GROWING

Musk mallow is the best variety to grow in a large container. It can look very dramatic and smells lovely on a warm evening. Water well throughout the growing season, but feed only twice. Maintain as for garden cultivation.

CULINARY

Young tender tips of the common mallow may be used in salads or steamed as a vegetable. Young leaves of the musk mallow can be boiled as a vegetable. Young leaves of the dwarf mallow can be eaten raw in salads or cooked as a spinach.

MEDICINAL

Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) is used in preference to the mallows (Malva ssp) in herbal medicine. However, a decoction can be used in a compress, or in bath preparations, for skin rashes, boils and ulcers, and in gargles and mouth washes.