Royal mallow (Lavatera trimestris)

Lavatera trimestris (Royal mallow) are excellent shruby plants for group planting in a summer display. They flower continuously from mid-summer to fall, making them an excellent source of cut flowers.

Lavatera trimestris has a relatively short life cycle, rapidly growing and producing large flowers approximately 10 cm in diameter.

There are cultivars with flowers in various shades of pink and with white or red color. Well branched herbaceous plant, reaching 50 cm to 1.2 m in height.

The name of this plant (trimestris meaning three months) is due to its period of growth until the beginning of flowering, as they usually start to bloom after three months.

Plant profile

Origin

Europe (Mediterranean region).

Climate

Prefers mild climate.

Sunlight

Full sun.

Watering

Moderate. The soil should remain slightly moist, but not soggy.

Soil

Very tolerant to different soils, as long as it is well drained. In very fertile soils this plant produces a lot of foliage and relatively few flowers, so the soil should be moderately fertile or even relatively poor. This is one of the plants included in our list of best drought tolerant annuals.

Lavatera trimestris (Royal mallow) flowers

Flowering season

It depends on the planting season and the climate of the region. It usually starts to bloom about 3 months after planting.

Cultivation cycle

Lavatera trimestris are annual plants.

Propagation

Propagate Royal mallow by seed, which must be sown on the surface as they need light to germinate. Although they can be covered with a thin layer of sieved soil. The seeds will usually germinate in two or three weeks.