Malope is a colorful annual for beds and borders. The Malope flower is showy with 5 petals and comes in a rich mix of shades. The flowers form on long sturdy stems making them great for cutting. Annual Mallow grows quickly and blooms heavily.

Start Malope seeds indoors in early spring.

Full sun to partial shade in sandy to clayish soils.

• Sow indoors in early spring.
• Mix seeds in a starter soil, place in a freezer bag, keep moist, then stratify by refrigeration for three weeks.
• Sow in a sunny location using starter trays. For areas with a longer growing season, the Malope seeds can be sown directly outdoors into a prepared seedbed once frost season is over.
• Sow 2 - 3 seeds per cell in starter trays.
• Cover seeds with 1/8 inch of topsoil.
• Keep growing temperature 65 - 75 degrees Fahrenheit.
• Keep seeds moist but not wet until germination.
• As soon as seedlings emerge, provide plenty of light on a sunny windowsill or grow seedlings 3-4 inches beneath fluorescent plant lights turned on 16 hours per day, off for 8 hours at night. Raise the lights as the plants grow taller. (Transplant to larger pots once they are large enough to handle if needed) Incandescent bulbs will not work for this process because they will get too hot. Most plants require a dark period to grow, do not leave lights on for 24 hours.
• Before transplanting, seedlings need to be “hardened off”. Accustom young plants to outdoor conditions by moving them to a sheltered place outside for a week. Be sure to protect them from wind and hot sun at first. If frost threatens at night, cover or bring containers indoors, then take them out again in the morning. This hardening off process toughens the plant’s cell structure and reduces transplant shock and scalding.
• Transplant after all danger of frost has passed.
• When transplanting select a location in full sun to light shade.
• Prepare the planting area by turning the soil under to a depth of 8 inches. Level with a rake to remove clumps of grass and stones.
• Plant seedlings 24 inches apart depending on variety.

• Keep weeds under control during the growing season. Weeds compete with plants for water, space and nutrients, so control them by either cultivating often or use a mulch to prevent their seeds from germinating.
• Provide support as plants grow larger.
• Requires water during dry spells and a mulch when cold weather is expected.
• Deadhead spent flowers to encourage extended bloom time.