Musk mallow: when and how to prune

Malva moschata

Musk mallow is best pruned in March and July.

Updated on 10 October 2026

Key facts
Pruning months	March and July
Flowering	June–September
Good for bees, butterflies and birds	Yes, for bees
Native to Belgium	Yes

Musk mallow: when to prune it?

In July, after the first flush of flowers, cut the plant back. In March, clear away the old, dead stems.

What else to prune in those months? March · July

In July, cut the faded stems back by a third to a half, just above a leaf or side shoot.
Leave a few if you want to collect seed or let it self-sow.
In March, cut last year’s dead stems back to just above the new rosette.

There are 2 pruning periods a year: March and July. You don’t have to prune in every one.

Musk mallow flowers in June–September, when it attracts bees.
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: In March, do not cut into the fresh rosette of leaves at the base: that is where the new stems grow from.

This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.