What it is
Common Mallow (Malva neglecta) is in the Malvaceae (Mallow) family. A mild lawn weed in the okra family — leaves and the little 'cheese' seed pods are edible and slightly mucilaginous.
How to grow it
It wants full sun to part shade, water it any, and give it any soil. Target a soil pH around Adaptable. Expect roughly Spring–summer. Annual/biennial weed.
How it's used
Common Mallow is used: leaves, shoots, and 'cheeses'.
🔎 How to identify it
- Round scalloped leaves
- Sprawling stems
- Tiny round seed pods ('cheeses')
Edibility
PartsLeaves, shoots, seed pods
UsesLeaves, shoots, and 'cheeses'
CautionHarvest from unsprayed areas.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.
Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.