Globe Mallow
Sphaeralcea ambigua
A rugged Southwestern native available in a palette of orange, white, pink, and lavender that thrives on neglect.
Hardy in USDA zones 6-11; a semi-evergreen low-desert native that shrugs off frost and extreme heat, thriving across low and mid elevations on rainfall alone.
AMWUA Notes
Skin and eye irritant — wear gloves when handling.
Care Guide
Extremely drought tolerant — water every 2-3 weeks in summer and rarely otherwise; it blooms on rainfall and rots in overly wet or poorly drained soil.
Shear the whole plant back by half after the spring bloom to remove spent stalks, tidy the sprawl, and often trigger a lighter second flush; wear gloves, as the foliage hairs irritate skin.
None needed; it thrives on lean, unimproved desert soil.
Essentially pest-free; the main issue is a floppy, open habit if overwatered or grown in rich soil.
Semi-evergreen perennial that peaks in spring, especially after wet winters; short-lived but reseeds prolifically to renew the stand.
Soil, Feeding & Propagation
Lean, rocky, gravelly, fast-draining desert soils; thrives on hot, dry, disturbed ground; rots in rich or overwatered soil.
Needs sharp, fast-draining soil.
None — thrives in lean desert soil without fertilizer.
Seed; reseeds prolifically. The deep taproot makes it difficult to transplant except as young seedlings.
3 ft
Deep taproot resents disturbance; short-lived but reseeds freely into volunteers. Wear gloves, as foliage hairs irritate skin.
Placement Tips
- •Mass in natural and wildflower plantings for a spring sweep of glowing orange or pastel bloom.
- •Give it room to sprawl and reseed; expect volunteers to fill in over time.
- •Site in the hottest, driest, reflected-heat spots where fussier plants fail.
- •Wear gloves when handling or shearing, since the fine leaf hairs can irritate skin and eyes.
Features
Best Uses
Ecological Value
Attracts
Wildlife Value
Companion Plants
Quick Stats
Design Styles
Include in Your Project
Love Globe Mallow? Our landscape team sources from wholesale nurseries and can incorporate it into your design.
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Use this care guide to maintain your Globe Mallow. Questions about your landscape? Reach out anytime.
Data from 2024 AMWUA “Landscape Plants for the Arizona Desert” guide.
Globe Mallow — common questions
Answers for low-desert Phoenix conditions, drawn from this plant’s growing data.
How much water does Globe Mallow need in Phoenix?
Globe Mallow is a very low-water perennial once established. Extremely drought tolerant — water every 2-3 weeks in summer and rarely otherwise; it blooms on rainfall and rots in overly wet or poorly drained soil. Skin and eye irritant — wear gloves when handling.
How big does Globe Mallow get?
Expect roughly 3 ft tall and 3 ft wide at maturity, with a moderate growth rate. Allow about 3 ft of spacing when planting. Deep taproot resents disturbance; short-lived but reseeds freely into volunteers. Wear gloves, as foliage hairs irritate skin.
Can you plant Globe Mallow near a pool?
Yes. Globe Mallow is considered pool-friendly, meaning it stays clean enough around water features and hardscape. Litter is rated low.
Can Globe Mallow handle Arizona heat and winter frost?
Globe Mallow is hardy in USDA 9-11 and wants full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 6-11; a semi-evergreen low-desert native that shrugs off frost and extreme heat, thriving across low and mid elevations on rainfall alone. Semi-evergreen perennial that peaks in spring, especially after wet winters; short-lived but reseeds prolifically to renew the stand.
Does Globe Mallow have thorns?
No. Globe Mallow is thornless, so it is safe alongside walkways, patios and play areas.
Is Globe Mallow safe around pets?
Globe Mallow is not listed as pet-friendly, so keep it out of areas where pets graze or chew, and check with your vet if you are unsure.
When does Globe Mallow bloom in Arizona?
Globe Mallow blooms in spring, with orange/white/pink/lavender flowers. The bloom draws bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, moths.
How much maintenance does Globe Mallow need?
Globe Mallow is low-maintenance. Leaf, flower and pod litter is rated low. Shear the whole plant back by half after the spring bloom to remove spent stalks, tidy the sprawl, and often trigger a lighter second flush; wear gloves, as the foliage hairs irritate skin.
What kind of soil does Globe Mallow need?
Lean, rocky, gravelly, fast-draining desert soils; thrives on hot, dry, disturbed ground; rots in rich or overwatered soil. It needs no supplemental feeding. None needed; it thrives on lean, unimproved desert soil.
Is Globe Mallow native to Arizona?
Yes. Globe Mallow is native to Arizona and to the Southwestern US, Northwestern Mexico, so it is adapted to local rainfall, soil and heat.