Hollyhock plant profile
Alcea rosea
A perennial flower for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Hollyhock
Hollyhock is a tall, short-lived perennial (often grown as a biennial) set out as a plant in spring; it readily reseeds to return year after year. Plant in spring once the soil is workable in full sun, in moist, well-drained, organically rich soil.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Hollyhock in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Soil pH
- 6 to 8
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 12 to 36 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 5a to 9bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: rust, leaf spot, hollyhock weevil.
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Alcea rosea (Hollyhock)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.
- Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants: Hollyhock (Alcea rosea) entry
ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center. Supports pet-safety verdicts for dogs and cats. Checked 2026-07-18.