Alcea rugosa
🍃leaf (1)
🌸flower (1)
🌿habit (1)

Alcea rugosa

Russian hollyhock

Tier 2 Difficulty: medium Water: low Light: full_sun
0
Soil pH
6–8
Hardiness
Zone 3–9
Click count
12
Observations
4

Description

Source: wikipedia (CC BY-SA)

Alcea rugosa, the Russian hollyhock, is a species of flowering plant in the family Malvaceae. It is native to Ukraine, Crimea, south European Russia, and the Caucasus, and has been introduced as a garden escapee into Wisconsin and Maryland in the United States. It is resistant to Puccinia malvacearum rust, and hardy to USDA zone 4.

Care Guide

💧 Water
☀️ Light Full sun

Russian Hollyhock is a sun-loving, perennial herbaceous plant that comes from open habitats and is often found thriving in meadows and grasslands. It prefers full sun but can also tolerate partial sun conditions.

Ideal: Full sun
🌡️ Temperature 0–35°C

Russian Hollyhock can tolerate a wide range of temperatures, though its distribution may still be restricted by different combinations of water and heat. It grows best in warm summer climates with sufficient rainfall or watering. Extended periods of cloudy, rainy weather or prolonged high temperatures can raise the likelihood of Russian Hollyhock dying. In winter, adequate protection from cold can increase the plant's survival rate.

Ideal temperature: 0–35°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-8
Soil pH: 6-8
🌱 Fertilizer

The best time to fertilize a Russian Hollyhock is in early spring, as it comes out of dormancy and begins active growth. Fertilizing supplies essential nutrients for healthy development. Although Russian Hollyhock has relatively low fertilizer requirements, applying fertilizer once a year can improve its survival and promote better, longer-lasting flowers.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

Alcea rugosa is a resilient plant known for its tall flower spikes. To promote healthy growth and prevent legginess, prune the plant in early spring. Remove any dead wood, trim back the plant after it blooms, and thin out congested areas to improve air circulation. Make sure to clean your tools to prevent infection. Following these practices will enhance the plant's flowering and overall vigor.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Herb
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Alcea
Family
Malvaceae
Hardiness Zone
3-9
Mature Height
1.22 m to 2.74 m
Mature Spread
91 cm
Leaf Color
Green, Dark Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
Pink, White, Yellow
Flower Size
7.62 cm to 11.43 cm
Bloom Time
Summer
Planting Time
Spring, Summer
Harvest Time
Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall
Native Area
Russia, Ukraine, Armenia, Azerbaijan

Tags (8)

Common Names (1)

en Russian hollyhock