Anisodontea

( an - iss - oh- DON - tee - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This genus of flowering plants is a member of the Mallow family (Malvaceae) and is native to South Africa. Member species typically have toothed green leaves with uneven lobes. Flowers are pink to magenta, often with darkened centers. These shrubs thrive in cool, temperate climates, and are commonly used as summer color in mixed beds. Anisodontea species also can do well in mild coastal regions. Use these flowering beauties to add pops of color to borders, grown in containers on patios or walkways, as a hedge, or as integral parts of Mediterranean-style or coastal gardens.

Anisodontea Species and Varietals

The genus name Anisodontea is derived from the Latin word 'aniso' (meaning unequal or uneven), and 'odon' (meaning 'tooth', referring to the irregularly toothed leaves). This genus is part of the Malvaceae family, and includes 21 species. Cape Mallow grows best in USDA hardiness zones 9-11 or Sunset growing zones 14 to 24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Anisodontea capensis (African Mallow, Dwarf Hibiscus, Cape Mallow, False Mallow, Cape African-Queen)
This species is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa and is a highly valued garden ornamental plant. It forms an upright, dense subshrub that reaches up to 5 feet tall at maturity and grows from a woody base. Cold spells may cause plants to lose some leaves. Flowers are fuchsia, mauve, or pink and bloom in late winter through early springtime.

Anisodontea elegans (Cape Mallow, African Mallow, Dwarf Pink Hibiscus)
This species is native to the Cape Provinces of South Africa, and produces five-petaled flowers in summer and fall. It grows from a woody base, and can reach up to between 6 and 8 feet tall at maturity. Width is typically around 4-6 feet.

Anisodontea hypomadara (Anisodontea x hypomadanrum, Anisodontea x hypomadara) (African Mallow, Cape Mallow)
This is the most popularly grown species in the genus, and forms an evergreen shrub that prefers full sun to light shade. These plants need little to moderate water and hail from South Africa. Butterflies and hummingbirds will frequent this plant in the yard due to its bright, cup-shaped flowers. It grows quickly into a rounded shape about four feet tall and just as wide. Leaves are small and bright green. Flowers bloom profusely in warm weather, and will be present year-round in areas with moderate climates. The color of the flowers vary depending on the varietal, though most are dark-veined and dark-eyed in shades of pink.

'Slightly Strawberry'
This species is a compact grower, reaching 2-3 feet tall and wide with silvery-green foliage and bright pink flowers.

'Tara's Wonder'
This discontinued hybrid can reach six feet tall and wide. Open, awkward growth habit.

'Tara's Pink'
This plant has a 'bushy' habit and widely lobed leaves. Blossoms are light pink in color. Sterile.

Anisodontea scabrosa (Coarse Cape Mallow, Hairy Mallow, Pink Mallow, Rough-Leaf African Mallow)
This species forms an easy-care groundcover that produces pink flowers from spring until the first frost of the year. Individual plants reach up to 4-6 feet tall and 3-6 feet wide. It does well in USDA hardiness zones 8a-11b. 'Miss Pinky' is a popular garden ornamental cultivar, and makes a colorful groundcover.

caring for Anisodontea

Anisodontea shrubs can be purchased as seed or as a specimen from a reputable nursery. Plant your Anisodontea shrub in a space in the landscape that receives full sun to light shade; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. Provide some late afternoon shade in warmer climates. When these shrubs are grown in lower light, they will not flower as profusely and produce leggy overall growth. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.0 and 8.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Anisodontea shrubs are considered to be drought-tolerant, able to get by for much of the year on rainwater alone with supplemental waterings during extended periods of dry weather. Withhold waterings during the plant's dormancy in wintertime.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Prune to remove crossing, damaged, diseased, or dead branches at any time during the active growing period in spring and early summertime. In late winter or early spring, give the shrub an overall trim to encourage a bushier habit to form. Cape Mallow plants can be trimmed into small decorative trees by removing the lower branches and forming the top ones into a somewhat rounded shape. Flowers can be deadheaded, but typically will fall from the plant on their own. They are winter-hardy shrubs, taking temperatures as low as the high teens and low twenties. If temperatures drop lower, make sure to provide some protection with a frost cloth. Anisodontea shrubs can last for around five years in the landscape before needing to be replaced. Fertile plants will self-seed prolifically in favorable conditions, providing volunteer seedlings that can be dug up and used to replace fading ones.

Growing Anisodontea in Containers
Anisodontea can be grown in the ground or cultivated in containers. Choose a container that has adequate drainage holes on the bottom and choose a space in the garden that gets full sun to partial shade. Fill the container with well-draining potting mix amended with plenty of organic material (compost) and sand. After planting, apply a layer of organic mulch to the top to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Prune to shape and remove dead, damaged, diseased, or crossing branches at any time during the active growing season in spring and early summer. Cape Mallow plants can be trimmed into small decorative trees by removing the lower branches and forming the top ones into a somewhat rounded shape. Flowers can be deadheaded, but typically will fall from the plant on their own. Water regularly; Anisodontea shrubs grown in containers will need more frequent irrigations than their in-ground counterparts. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch.

Propagation

Anisodontea, or Cape Mallow, shrubs will frequently re-seed in the garden, and volunteer seedlings can be dug up and replanted elsewhere if desired. These shrubs can also be intentionally propagated, either by cutting or by seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If growing from seed, just keep in mind that the resulting plant will not necessarily have the same qualities as the parent plant, especially when working with a hybrid or cultivar. Also note that some Anisodontea cultivars are sterile, and will not produce seeds. To propagate your Cape Mallow shrub, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Anisodontea by Cutting

Prepare a 6- 8 inch deep pot by filling it with sand or similarly well-draining potting mix. Ensure that the pot is sufficiently wide to accommodate multiple cuttings spaced about 2 inches apart.
The early spring, when new growth is pushing out, is the best time to harvest cuttings from a Cape Mallow plant. Take a few 4-6 inch cuttings from the ends of the branches of young plants in the morning. Keep the ends of stems moist by wrapping them in a wet paper towel.
Dip cuttings in rooting hormone, and then place them in the propagation pot 2 inches apart, about one inch deep, and then place the pot in an area where it can receive bright indirect light. Temperatures should remain between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep them moist and ensure that good drainage is occurring.
Once the weather has settled in springtime (there aren't large rises or drops in temperature or moisture in the air), and the roots have grown enough that they support the cutting, the young plant can be transplanted into the landscape. Find a place that has great drainage, and a good amount of sun to plant your cutting in. Ensure that it receives a moderate amount of water while it grows and matures; ensure good drainage and keep the soil moist.

Propagating Anisodontea by Seed

After Cape Mallows have flowered, purse-shaped seed pods will appear where blooms occurred on the plant. These pods will become dry and burst open on their own, releasing their seeds. At this time, seeds can be collected. They are small and black. Store them in an envelope until you're ready to use them. They should be planted as soon as possible after harvesting. If you are saving the seeds until next spring, store them in a cool, dry place; the cold will inhibit germination.
Seeds should be planted 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in well-drained potting soil in a container situated in full sun. Water them well and ensure good drainage is occurring.
Once the soil temperature in the area reaches 70 degrees, the new plants can be potted up or planted directly into the garden. Soil where your propagated plant is placed should be well-draining and in full sun. Surround the plant with a light covering of mulch around the base to help moisture retention and ensure that the roots stay moist while it is acclimating to its new surroundings.