in

How to Grow Anisodontea – Cape Mallow

Sharing is caring!

Anisodontea–commonly called cape mallow–is a quick-growing woody-perennial or shrub that bears spray of bowl-shaped pink or purplish-pink bowl-shaped flowers that look much like miniature hollyhocks.

Anisodontea has an open and freely branching habit. The ovate and often 3-palmate leaves are tender and soft green. In warm, not hot, weather Anisodontea fills out nicely and can be covered with flowers.

Anisodontea is a good choice for an informal hedge or border. In frost-free regions, it can be trained as a standard. Anisodontea can be grown in containers and overwintered indoors where winters are cold.

Anisodontea is a genus of 19 species of woody perennials and shrubs. Anisodontea is native to South Africa.

Cape mallow, Anisodontea
Cape mallow, Anisodontea

Get to know Anisodontea 

  • Plant type: Evergreen shrubs 
  • Growing zones and range: Zones 9 to 11
  • Hardiness: Hardy to Zone 9; will be damaged by frost
  • Height and width: 3 to 6 feet (1-2m) tall and wide
  • Foliage: Linear, ovate, or lobed leaves are a soft green and slightly hairy
  • Flowers: Bowl-shaped pinkish or purple-pink hollyhock-like flowers are borne throughout mild weather, year-round in mildest climates.
  • Bloom time: Summer to autumn
  • Uses: Shrub perennial borders or in large containers. 
  • Common name: Cape mallow 
  • Botanical name: Anisodontea 
  • Family name: Malvaceae 
  • Origin: South Africa

Where to plant Anisodontea 

  • Plant Anisodontea in full sun in areas with cool summers. Plant where there is late afternoon shade where summers are hot. plants tend to stop blooming during the heat of summer.
  • Plant Anisodontea in humus-rich, well-drained soil.  

When to plant Anisodontea 

  • Set container-grown Anisodontea in the garden in spring or autumn.
  • Sow seeds indoors in late winter; they will germinate at 55° to 65°F.
Anisodontea
Anisodontea

Planting and spacing Anisodontea 

  • Space Anisodontea 3 to 6 feet (1-2m) apart.

How to water and feed Anisodontea 

  • Water Anisodontea regularly in spring and summer when the plants are growing actively. Gradually withhold water in fall and keep plants on the dry side over winter. 
  • Fertilize Anisodontea monthly with a balanced fertilizer durng the growing season.

Anisodontea care

  • Remove seed heads regularly to keep Anisodontea blooming.

Anisodontea  pests and diseases

  • Anisodontea is susceptible to spider mites, whiteflies, and apids.
anisodontea
Cape mallow, Anisodontea

Anisodontea propagation

  • Sow Anisodontea seeds indoors in late winter and germinate at 55° to 65°F.
  • Root semi-ripe cuttings with bottom heat in early summer.

Anisodontea varieties to grow

  • Aisodontea capensis. Grows to 6 feet tall with 1-inch lobed leaves and 1-inch purplish-pink flowers with deep veining and a dark basal spot. Probably identical to A. hypomandarum
  • A. hypomandarum. Grows to 6 feet or taller with 1 ½-in. leaves; bears inch-wide pink flowers with dark veins and eyes; slowering is continuous and profuse. Sometimes trained as single-trunk standards. Cultivar ‘Tara’s Pink’ has larger leaves and larger, lighter flowers. 
  • A. scabrosa. Grows to 6 feet tall with aromatic leaves 2 ½-3 in. long; bears deep rosy-purple flowers with darker eyespots. 


Written by Stephen Albert

Stephen Albert is a horticulturist, master gardener, and certified nurseryman who has taught at the University of California for more than 25 years. He holds graduate degrees from the University of California and the University of Iowa. His books include Vegetable Garden Grower’s Guide, Vegetable Garden Almanac & Planner, Tomato Grower’s Answer Book, and Kitchen Garden Grower’s Guide. His Vegetable Garden Grower’s Masterclass is available online. Harvesttotable.com has more than 10 million visitors each year.

How To Grow Tips

How To Grow Tomatoes

How To Grow Peppers

How To Grow Broccoli

How To Grow Carrots

How To Grow Beans

How To Grow Corn

How To Grow Peas

How To Grow Lettuce

How To Grow Cucumbers

How To Grow Zucchini and Summer Squash

How To Grow Onions

How To Grow Potatoes

How to Grow Teucrium – Germander

How to Grow Bidens