GardenWizzPlant Care Card

Hollyhock

Alcea rosea · Biennial

Hardiness
H5 Hardy — cold winter (to −15 to −10°C)
Position
Full sun
Height × Spread
1.5–2.4 m × 50–100 cm
Soil
well-drained, moderately fertile soil; grows in most soils including heavy and dry soils
Flowering
June–November
Toxicity
Non-toxic; hollyhock flowers and young leaves are edible (mallow family, related to marshmallow), used in salads and teas. The leaf hairs may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive people.

The Gardening Year

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D
🌱 Sow
🪴 Plant out
🌸 In flower

Watch out for

Hollyhock rust: Remove affected leaves promptly and grow plants as biennials, discarding them after flowering to break the disease cycle.

Slugs and snails: Use physical barriers like copper tape or beer traps, and hand-pick pests at night.

Aphids: Squash infestations by hand or spray with a strong jet of water; encourage natural predators like ladybirds.

Capsid bugs: Monitor plants regularly and remove affected growth; severe infestations may require insecticidal soap.

Cutworms: Protect young stems with collars made from cardboard or plastic pots buried slightly in the soil.

Full guide: gardenwizz.com/plants/alcea-rosea © GardenWizz — UK gardening encyclopedia