Malva spp.
Mallows
Explore the size, hardiness, soil, light, edible uses and harvest period of Malva spp..
Common names
3 names · 3 languages- EnglishYour language
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- Mallows
Other languages (2)
- Dutch
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- Kaasjeskruid
- French
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- Mauve
Sources & name notes
Names recorded in our plant catalogue, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.
Plant characteristics
Growing conditions
Moist
Sand (light) Loam (medium) Clay (heavy)
Acidic Neutral Alkaline
Partial shade, Full sun
Uses
Leaves, Seed, Flowers
Fibre, Dye
Description
Leaves can be eaten both raw and cooked and have a mild and pleasant flavor. The leaves are slimy and fairly tasteless, making them an excellent substitute for lettuce in salads. They grow fresh from spring until mid-summer, or from self-seeded plants in the fall. Flowers can be eaten raw and are very decorative in salads, with a mild flavor and a texture similar to the leaves. The seeds can be eaten raw and have a pleasant nutty taste, but it is best to use them before they are fully matured, as they are generally quite small and difficult to harvest.
Harvest
Sources and references
References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.
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Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
World Checklist of Vascular Plants, version 16, extracted 4 June 2026
Supports: Botanical family
Relevant sections
- Botanical family: WCVP v16, wcvp_names.csv row 242433; name ID 2503651; Malva Tourn. ex L.. Family column.
Source checked on .
Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.