Island mallow
Lavatera assurgentiflora
Last reviewed: September 2026
Toxicity unknown
Island mallow (Lavatera 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
low
Size
60"–144" H × 60"–96" W
Bloom
Mar, Apr, May, Jun, Jul
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 452 programs across 44 states, each with a link to the provider and the date we last checked it.
Find rebates in your areaBrowse plants for this ecoregion
A fast-growing, woody shrub with large maple-like leaves and showy pink hibiscus-like flowers over a long season. With age it forms a substantial rounded shrub and benefits from occasional pruning.
Wildlife value
Host plant for west coast lady, painted lady.
Flowers draw bees and hummingbirds, and the foliage hosts caterpillars of 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, and July.
- Where is Island mallow native?
- Island mallow (Lavatera assurgentiflora) is native to CA, per the World Checklist of Vascular Plants (Kew).
- 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 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.
- 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.
Planning a bed around it? Start a free plan with this plant
Not sure where to start? Take the 2-minute yard quiz