Getting it to bloom
Why won't my Rough-leaved Cape Mallow bloom? (and how to make it flower)
Also called Rough-leaved Cape Mallow, Rough-leaf African Mallow, Hairy Mallow, Pink Mallow (Anisodontea scabrosa).
More about rough-leaved cape mallow
About Rough-leaved Cape Mallow
Anisodontea scabrosa · also called Rough-leaved Cape Mallow, Rough-leaf African Mallow · flowering
Anisodontea scabrosa is a vigorous, evergreen shrub from the Cape Floristic Region of South Africa, named for its distinctly rough, hairy leaves, and valued for its prolific, small, deep-pink to magenta hibiscus-like flowers produced from spring until the first frost or year-round in warm climates. It is larger and somewhat hardier than its close relative A. capensis, tolerating brief light frosts in a sheltered position, but performing best in USDA zones 8–11 with well-drained soil and full sun. Prune hard in early spring to prevent it becoming woody and bare at the base. No toxic principles are documented for the genus, though it is not formally listed as non-toxic by the ASPCA.
Plant type: flowering
The reasons rough-leaved cape mallow isn't blooming
Almost every non-blooming rough-leaved cape mallow traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:
- Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
- Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
- The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
- Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
- It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.
Feeding rough-leaved cape mallow a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
The fix — how to get rough-leaved cape mallow to flower
- Maximise sun. Give rough-leaved cape mallow the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
- Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
- Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
- Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.
Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for rough-leaved cape mallow and get the feeding right with the rough-leaved cape mallow fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.
Bloom season and what to expect
Rough-leaved Cape Mallow flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
Post-bloom care so it flowers again
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full rough-leaved cape mallow care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.
Rough-leaved Cape Mallow blooming — frequently asked questions
Why won't my rough-leaved cape mallow flower?
Rough-leaved Cape Mallow blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
How do I make rough-leaved cape mallow bloom?
Give rough-leaved cape mallow the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
When does rough-leaved cape mallow normally bloom?
Rough-leaved Cape Mallow flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.
What should I do with rough-leaved cape mallow after it flowers?
Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.
What is the single biggest mistake stopping rough-leaved cape mallow flowering?
Feeding rough-leaved cape mallow a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.
Keep reading
- Rough-leaved Cape Mallow care — the full brief (light, water, humidity, problems, pet safety)
- Rough-leaved Cape Mallow light needs — usually the first thing to fix for flowers
- Rough-leaved Cape Mallow fertilising — the right feed for buds, not just leaves
- Should I water my plant? The simple check
- Why is my plant wilting? Wet vs dry
- Underwatered plant — signs and rehydration
- Why won't my peace lily bloom?
- Why won't my jade plant bloom?
- Why won't my tomato bloom?
- All 4114 bloom guides in the Growli library