General Culture:

Tender perennial that is winter hardy to USDA Zones 9-11. In St. Louis, it is grown as an annual. Easily grown in moist, moderately fertile, well-drained soils in full sun. Best flowering is in full sun. Thrives in hot summer climates. Start seed indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost date or purchase nursery plants. When grown from seed, flowers usually don’t appear until approximately 3 months after sowing. Set out plants after last frost date. Seed may be harvested from garden plants for planting the following year.

Noteworthy Characteristics:

Native to tropical Asia, musk mallow is a compact tender perennial that typically grows in a bushy clump to 1.5-2’ tall when grown as an annual. Species plants feature hibiscus-like yellow flowers (to 2-3” wide) with purplish centers. Cultivars expand the available flower colors to include attractive shades of pink, orange-red and red often with white centers. Flowers last only for one day, but plants bloom freely throughout the growing season to frost. Flowers give way to fruit capsules (to 3” long) which have a musky aroma, hence the common name. Hairy, dark green leaves are deeply cut into 3-7 lobes. Abelmoschus esculentus (okra) also features attractive yellow flowers, but is more commonly grown as a vegetable crop for its edible seed pods.