How to Grow Hollyhock (Alcea) Flowers

Hollyhocks tolerate partial shade, especially in hot climates, but they bloom best in full sun. Sow seeds directly in your garden from spring until two months before the first heavy frost in the fall. Amend the soil before planting with compost and manure to improve drainage.

How do you grow Alcea?
Is Alcea the same as Hollyhock?
What month do you plant hollyhock seeds?
Will hollyhocks grow in the shade?
Can hollyhocks be grown in pots?
Do hollyhocks come back every year?
Do hollyhocks spread?
Are hollyhocks poisonous to dogs?
Where do hollyhocks grow best?
How deep do Hollyhock roots go?
Are hollyhocks invasive?

How do you grow Alcea?

Hollyhocks need full sun and moist, rich, well drained soil. The mistake many novice hollyhock growers make is to plant this flower in soil that is too dry. If you are planting seeds, sow the seeds outside about a week before last frost. If you are planting seedlings out, wait about two to three weeks after last frost.

Is Alcea the same as Hollyhock?

The next variety that we should look at is the Alcea Ficifolia, which is a lesser known type of Hollyhock. This fig-leaved Hollyhock is a robust plant that produces several stems at the base of the plant, each of which will yield blooms.

What month do you plant hollyhock seeds?

When to plant

Pot grown hollyhocks are best planted in spring or autumn, but can be planted at any time, spacing them 60cm (24in) apart.

Will hollyhocks grow in the shade?

They do not like dry soil. With adequate moisture and good drainage, hollyhocks can thrive in full sun or partial shade. Try them in a few different spots in your yard and see where they are happiest.

Can hollyhocks be grown in pots?

Hollyhocks do best in a south- or west-facing position in moist but well-drained soil. Chalky, sandy or loamy soils are ideal. Plant them at the back of a border as they can reach heights of 2m or more. Hollyhocks aren't suitable for growing in pots.

Do hollyhocks come back every year?

They appear to be perennials as they do come back year after year but they are actually biennials which self-seed prolifically. Being a biennial means that it is often best to start new Hollyhocks in August or September so that they will then bloom the following summer.

Do hollyhocks spread?

Once you get Hollyhocks established you will have them forever. You will have to be sure and dead head them to prevent getting too many, they spread easily but that is all part of gardening. Single flower hollyhocks attract hummingbirds, bees and butterflies and they are host plants for the Paint Lady larvae.

Are hollyhocks poisonous to dogs?

Hollyhocks. These flowers are also non-poisonous to dogs or cats, but you need to be careful about the stems and leaves as they may have resin or fiber which may cause some skin allergies.

Where do hollyhocks grow best?

Where to plant: Plant in a well-draining area with full sun to partial shade. Due to their height, protect from damaging winds and provide support such as a fence, wall, trellis or stake. Hollyhocks will readily self-seed if left to their own devices, so locate them in an area where this won't be a nuisance.

How deep do Hollyhock roots go?

The hole should be wider than the roots and deep enough to encourage the long taproot of bare root hollyhock plants to easily grow downward. When planting, the taproot should point downward. Don't plant too deeply though, just a couple inches (5 cm.) below the soil.

Are hollyhocks invasive?

Hollyhock mallow is recommended for U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 4 through 10. Although it is not considered invasive, other Malva species can become weedy and potentially invasive in some areas, so be certain you are purchasing plants or seeds for the desired species.