Photo: Kristian Peters -- Fabelfroh 14:46, 10 July 2005 (UTC), CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Common mallow: when and how to prune
Malva sylvestris
Common mallow is best pruned in March and July.
| Pruning months | March and July |
|---|---|
| Flowering | June–October |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Common mallow: when to prune it?
In July, when the plant falls open, cut it back by a third. In late February–March clear the old stems.
Common mallow: how to prune it?
- In July, cut long, sagging stems back by a third, just above a leaf: new flowering shoots will follow.
- Remove stems with rust spots completely and put them in the household waste.
- In March, cut the old stems back to just above the rosette of leaves at the base.
How much to cut, and how often?
- There are 2 pruning periods a year: March and July. You don’t have to prune in every one.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Common mallow flowers in June–October, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- If pruning falls during flowering, wait until it is over or leave part of the plant to flower, so bees and butterflies still benefit.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Caution: Do not cut right down to the ground late in autumn: the plant overwinters as a rosette of leaves at the base, which is best left in place.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Common mallow · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.