Lavatera (Annual Mallow) in Zone 9a & 9b
Lavatera trimestris
Yes, lavatera (annual mallow) grows in zones 9a and 9b. Plant it outside Feb 15–Feb 22.
When to plant lavatera (annual mallow) in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Feb 15–Feb 22 |
| Estimated bloom | May 16–May 23 (~90 days after direct-sowing) |
Spacing: about 4 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 2-4 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of lavatera (annual mallow) in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumFeb 22–Mar 1
- MarigoldFeb 22–Mar 1
- African DaisyFeb 15–Feb 22
- Amaranthus (Love-Lies-Bleeding)Feb 15–Feb 22
- Ammi (False Queen Anne's Lace)Feb 15–Feb 22
- Ammobium (Winged Everlasting)Feb 15–Feb 22
Lavatera is the annual mallow, and the one that flowers properly in its first summer.
How lavatera (annual mallow) fits zone 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Lavatera (annual mallow) needs about 90 days from sowing to first bloom.
Lavatera (Annual Mallow) planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2a & 2b | Not usually | May 20–May 27 | Aug 18–Aug 25 |
| 3a & 3b | Not usually | May 30–Jun 6 | Aug 28–Sep 4 |
| 4a & 4b | Not usually | May 15–May 22 | Aug 13–Aug 20 |
| 5a & 5b | Not usually | May 10–May 17 | Aug 8–Aug 15 |
| 6a & 6b | Not usually | Apr 25–May 2 | Jul 24–Jul 31 |
| 7a & 7b | Not usually | Apr 10–Apr 17 | Jul 9–Jul 16 |
| 8a & 8b | Not usually | Mar 25–Apr 1 | Jun 23–Jun 30 |
| 9a & 9b (your zone) | Not usually | Feb 15–Feb 22 | May 16–May 23 |
| 10a & 10b | Not usually | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Apr 30–May 7 |
| 11a & 11b | Not usually | Jan 1–Jan 8 | Apr 1–Apr 8 |
Bloom dates are about 90 days after the sow or plant-out date.
Zone 2 sows before zone 3 here, which looks wrong and is not. USDA zones rank winter cold, not season length, and zone 2 is mostly interior Alaska, where hard winters come with warm summers. More on what a zone measures.
Good companions
No well-established companions for lavatera (annual mallow).
Where to buy lavatera seeds
True Leaf Market · High Mowing Organic Seeds (each supplier's lavatera seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing lavatera (annual mallow)" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Lavatera (Annual Mallow) in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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