Island mallow
Malva assurgentiflora
Last reviewed: October 2026
Island mallow (Malva assurgentiflora) is a perennial shrub native to CA. It blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November. The flowers draw bees and hummingbirds.
Toxicity unknown
Island mallow (Malva assurgentiflora) 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
medium
Size
72"–180" H × 60"–120" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul, Aug, Sep, Oct, Nov
Native to
CA
Pollinators
bees, hummingbirds
Before you buy
Your city may pay you to plant this
Cities and water utilities offer rebates for replacing lawn with native and water-wise plants. We track 460 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
A fast-growing, large shrub with maple-like lobed leaves and showy pink-purple hibiscus-like flowers produced over most of the year. It can become leggy and open without periodic pruning.
Growing Island mallow
Grow Island mallow in full sun and medium water. Mature plants reach 72 to 180 inches tall and spread 60 to 120 inches wide.
Wildlife value
Host plant for West Coast lady, painted lady.
The nearly year-round flowers feed bees and hummingbirds, and the foliage is a documented host for West Coast lady and painted lady butterflies.
Common questions
- How much sun does Island mallow need?
- Island mallow grows best in full sun conditions.
- When does Island mallow bloom?
- Island mallow blooms in March, April, May, June, July, August, September, October, and November.
- Where is Island mallow native?
- Island mallow (Malva assurgentiflora) is native to CA, per vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists.
- What butterflies or moths does Island mallow host?
- Island mallow is a larval host plant for West Coast lady and painted lady.
Native range data from vouchered herbarium specimen records and regional native plant society lists. 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.
- It is dying right after planting
- Leaves turning yellow
- Wilting even though I watered it
- Brown crispy leaf tips
- Bugs on the plant
Ready to grow Island mallow? Add it to your garden in Pollinator Patch to track it and get season-by-season care guidance.