How to Grow Hollyhock Flowers

About Growing Hollyhocks in Your Home Flower Garden

Here is one of your Grandma’s favorite flowers! Grandma just loved growing Hollyhock plants. And, so will you. The plants are a common sight in cottage gardens. Plant perennial hollyhock seeds and watch them grow quickly. The plants are easy to grow and will flower the first year if started early indoors. However, more often they bloom the second year. You will love the profusion of stately Hollyhock flowers growing on tall plants as they display their showy double blooms. Additionally, Hollyhocks are both edible and have medicinal uses.

Hollyhocks are natives of Asia. They have heart-shaped leaves and bloom from July to September in most areas. Tall Hollyhock flowers make great backgrounds, borders, or even fences.

Note: While most hollyhocks are perennials, there are some annual varieties.

Hollyhocks attract Hummingbirds.

Hoolyhock Flower Plant Specifications

Flower Colors: Blooms in a wide range of colors including white, yellow, crimson, pink, rose, and red.

Flowers Bloom: Summer. A few varieties will bloom well into Fall.

Plant Height: Varies. Some varieties grow 2′-3′, while others grow as high as 6 feet.

Days to First Bloom: 14 to 18 weeks after planting seeds.

Light Requirements: Full sun to partial shade.

Ideal Soil pH: 6.0 – 8.0.

Toxic?: Non-toxic to humans and pets.

Deer Resistant?: No

Hardiness Zones: 2 – 10

Native To: Asia and Europe.

Number of Species: 80

Plant Type: Perennial

Botanical Name: Alcea Rosea Malvacae

Are Hollyhock Plants Edible?

YES!!

The plants are completely edible. This includes the flowers, leaves, seeds, and even the roots. Cook the leaves and flower buds before consuming them. However, you can eat the flower petals raw.

Hollyhocks are high in flavonoids. They are commonly used in relaxing teas. They add a bright color when used in foods.

In addition to eating them, they are used as a mouthwash and as a dye.

Medicinal Uses of Hollyhock Plants

Hollyhock plants have many medicinal applications. They include:

Heal cuts wounds

Helps with blood circulation

Helps reduce fever

Improves appetite

Moisturizes skin

Relieves respiratory problems

Soothe sore throat

Treatment for burns

Treats digestive ailments

Treats Gastrointestinal ailments

Hollyhock Flowers Light Requirements

Hollyhock plants grow their best in full sunlight in most areas. Give them 8 – 10 hours or more of full, bright sunlight. In hotter regions, they grow well in partial afternoon shade.

If they are grown in too much shade, the plants grow lanky and can fall over. Also, the plants and blooms are smaller.

Perennial Hollyhock Plant Propagation

Hollyhock plants are often started from seed. You can sow Hollyhock seeds directly into your flower garden. We recommend that you start them indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost, and they may bloom the first year.

In the garden, they need plenty of room. The final spacing should be 18-24″. Give them plenty of room to allow air circulation and minimize rust and other diseases.

Established Hollyhock plants can be separated by division. This is best done in the fall to allow the replants time to grow good roots in their new location before winter.

Days to Germination: Varies, 7 – 25, depending upon variety.

How to Grow Hollyhock Flower Plants

Select a planting site where your perennial Hollyhock plants will receive full sunlight. They look great when properly spaced and grown in small groups. They will grow quickly to a height of four to five feet or more, depending upon the variety you have selected for your yard.

Hollyhock likes rich, well-drained soil. Water as needed to keep the soil moist at all times. Adding a general-purpose fertilizer once a month will result in bigger, fuller blooms.

Keep the plants well-weeded in the first few weeks of growth. Then, apply a thick layer of mulch to keep weeds down, and to help retain soil moisture.

The plants grow on sturdy stalks and normally do not require staking. However, when grown in partial shade, the plants may need staking to keep them from falling over.

Growing Hollyhock Plants in Containers

Hollyhock plants are not normally grown in containers due to their height. However, you can grow them in large flowerpots for your patio or deck.

Like other container-grown plants, they require extra care.

Use flowerpots or containers with drain holes in the bottom. This allows excess water to drain so the roots will not rot.
Keep an eye on the moisture level. Check the plants every day or two, especially in extended periods of hot, dry weather. Keep the soil moist, but not wet. It is okay to let the top of the soil begin to dry between watering. When watering the plants, thoroughly wet the soil. Excess water will drain through the hole in the bottom of the flowerpot.
Nutrients in a flowerpot are limited. So, use fertilizer spikes to feed the plants. Or, apply a light solution of liquid fertilizer every 3 – 4 weeks.

Pruning Hollyhock Plants

Hollyhock plants normally do not require pruning. However, you should remove any dead leaves. You can also remove dead blooms, if desired for a neater appearance. Do not clip the growing tip.

If you want to collect Hollyhock seeds for future planting, allow some of the spent blooms to remain on the plant until the seeds Make sure the Hollyhock seeds are completely dry before storing them.

Insects and Plant Disease

Beetles can be a problem. They sometimes eat away at the leaves to the point where the leaves become unsightly. Other problems are not too common and can be treated with insecticides and insecticidal soaps.

Rust disease is a common problem. We recommend you apply fungicides regularly.

Also see: Plant Problems – Identify the causes and find the cures.

Hollyhock Flowers Plant Pests

Deer love hollyhock plants. (See deer damage in the picture above). They will come back night after night until there are no more leaves or flowers on the plant.

Use deer repellents before they find your plants. Re-apply on a regular basis and after heavy rains.

Overwintering Perennial Hollyhock Flowers

Some people grow Hollyhock flowers as an annual. However, they are perennials and overwinter just fine in most areas.

After the growing season is over, cut the plants back to ground level. Cover the area with mulch to protect the roots, in case the winter is really harsh.