Mallow (High Mallow) in Zone 5a & 5b
Malva sylvestris
Yes, mallow (high mallow) grows in zones 5a and 5b. Plant it outside May 10–May 17.
When to plant mallow (high mallow) in zone 5b
Zones 5a and 5b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Direct sow: Direct-sow outside. It doesn't transplant well, or doesn't need the extra time indoors.
| Start indoors | Not typically started indoors |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 10–May 17 |
| Estimated bloom | Aug 28–Sep 4 (~110 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-3 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 5b
These go outside within two weeks of mallow (high mallow) in zone 5b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumMay 17–May 24
- MarigoldMay 17–May 24
- African DaisyMay 10–May 17
- Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)May 10–May 17
- Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)May 10–May 17
- Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)May 10–May 17
High mallow is a biennial, which puts it in a small group here: it occupies its square for two seasons and flowers in the second one.
How mallow (high mallow) fits zone 5's season
Zone 5b's frost-free window runs about 148 days, from May 10 to October 5. Mallow (high mallow) needs about 110 days from sowing to first bloom.
Mallow (High Mallow) planting windows in every zone
Zone 5b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 15–May 22 | Sep 2–Sep 9 |
| 5a & 5b (your zone) | Not usually | May 10–May 17 | Aug 28–Sep 4 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 25–May 2 | Aug 13–Aug 20 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Apr 10–Apr 17 | Jul 29–Aug 5 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Mar 25–Apr 1 | Jul 13–Jul 20 |
Bloom dates are about 110 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Good companions
No well-established companions for mallow (high mallow).
Where to buy mallow seeds
None of the seed suppliers we list carries mallow seeds right now. A local garden center or a specialty seed house is the place to look.
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing mallow (high mallow)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 5b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Mallow (High Mallow) in USDA zone 5b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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