How much sun does Fremont's bush mallow need?

Fremont's bush mallow grows best in full sun conditions.

When does Fremont's bush mallow bloom?

Fremont's bush mallow blooms in May, June, and July.

Where is Fremont's bush mallow native?

Fremont's bush mallow (Malacothamnus fremontii) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).

What butterflies or moths does Fremont's bush mallow host?

Fremont's bush mallow is a larval host plant for West Coast lady.

Fremont's bush mallow

Name: Pollinator Patch
Author: Pollinator Patch

Malacothamnus fremontii

Last reviewed: October 2026

Fremont's bush mallow (Malacothamnus fremontii) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in May, June, and July. The flowers draw bees and hummingbirds.

Toxicity unknown

Fremont's bush mallow (Malacothamnus fremontii) is not listed by the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (opens in new tab) or the other sources we check, so we have no verdict for it either way. Absence from those lists is not a clearance. If your pet shows symptoms after eating any plant, call the ASPCA at (888) 426-4435.

Light

full sun

Water

low

Size

48"–96" H × 48"–72" W

Bloom

May, Jun, Jul

Native to

Pollinators

bees, hummingbirds

Before you buy

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Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 459 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.

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Browse plants for this ecoregion

Sierra Nevada Central California Foothills and Coastal Mountains Central California Valley Southern California Mountains Central Basin and Range Mojave Basin and Range Southern California/Northern Baja Coast

A fast-growing shrub with gray, felted stems and leaves and spikes of pink, hibiscus-like flowers through late spring and summer. Grows on dry slopes, often colonizing disturbed ground after fire.

Growing Fremont's bush mallow

Grow Fremont's bush mallow in full sun and low water. Mature plants reach 48 to 96 inches tall and spread 48 to 72 inches wide.

Wildlife value

Host plant for West Coast lady.

The flowers attract bees, including mallow specialists, and the foliage is a larval host plant for the West Coast lady butterfly.

Common questions

How much sun does Fremont's bush mallow need?: Fremont's bush mallow grows best in full sun conditions.
When does Fremont's bush mallow bloom?: Fremont's bush mallow blooms in May, June, and July.
Where is Fremont's bush mallow native?: Fremont's bush mallow (Malacothamnus fremontii) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
What butterflies or moths does Fremont's bush mallow host?: Fremont's bush mallow is a larval host plant for West Coast lady.

Native range data from the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew). Pollinator and host plant associations compiled from GBIF, iNaturalist, and published ecological literature.

If something looks wrong

Common plant problems, and what to check first

These come up on almost any plant. Each guide lists the likely causes in the order they are worth ruling out, with one thing to check before you act on any of them, and links to the source it came from.

See all plant problem guides

Ready to grow Fremont's bush mallow? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.

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