Indian Mallow

Posted by Robert Dailey Dec 20, 2007

Indian mallow is a plant native to the southwest. With its large, heart-shaped grayish-green leaves and showy gold-colored flowers, it’s a great addition for your desert garden.

Cold-hardy (although it is deciduous in colder desert climates), it makes a great shrub border of even a backdrop to smaller plants.

Although the plant has no “intrinsic” calming properties, it is often planted next to patios and outdoor sitting areas because of the color, size, "feel" and shape of the plant.

Indian mallow is drought-tolerant and will grow in many soil types but it also responds well to deep watering. With enough watering, it will grow to six feet or more.

The seeds are a source of food and cover for several bird species, especially quail and dove; deer eat the foliage. Indian mallow is also the host for the larva of several species of butterflies.

It can grow in direct sunlight, partial shade and even reflected sunlight.

There are many species and sub-species of Indian mallow, and most are native to the southwest. Some however, are native to the Midwest, and several are native to eastern North America.

For more information on this plant, including growing instructions, see Indian mallow.