Growing Anisodontea (African Mallow): Fast-Growing Standards for Continuous Bloom

Growing Anisodontea (African Mallow)

Grows rapidly in full sun and regular potting soil or average garden soil. Plants brought indoors before frost and placed in a sunny window will continue blooming through winter. Hardy to Zone 9 (20°F).

Growing Standards

A standard is a woody plant trained to a single stem with a rounded head. This beautiful but unnatural form requires effort to maintain.

Staking a Standard

Keep out of strong winds. Use a stake at least as thick as the stem, long enough to reach inside the head. Fasten with garden twine or green plastic tie tape in figure-eight loops. Check ties periodically and loosen if they constrict stem growth.

Pruning, Fertilizing, and Repotting

Maintain head shape with selective pinching of new shoots (over-pinching prevents flower buds). Pinch each shoot between thumb and forefinger or cut with shears. Do not shear like a hedge. Fertilize as other pot-grown plants. If plant dries quickly, repot: make four deep vertical cuts in root ball, move to pot 2 inches wider and taller, fill with fresh mix, water thoroughly.