If you like the look of tall, cheerful blooms swaying along a garden fence, hollyhocks might be just what you’re after. These bold, old-style flowers bring plenty of charm, but they do like a bit of help to really thrive. Whether you’ve been gardening for years or just starting out, this simple guide covers how to care for hollyhocks—making it easier to grow strong, healthy plants that keep blooming each year.
Hollyhocks: Tall Blooms with Classic Charm
Often seen lining cottage gardens or tucked along old brick walls, hollyhocks bring that “just stepped out of a vintage postcard” vibe. Their tall flower spikes can grow over head-height, packed with big, bold blooms in lots of colors. They’re easy-going plants, but to get them looking their best, it helps to know a few basics about their care. Luckily, they’re not fussy—and they’ll usually give back more than they take.
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Growing Hollyhocks – Where to Begin
Finding the Right Spot
Hollyhocks do best in full sun—ideally somewhere with at least six hours of direct light most days. The soil should drain well, as soggy roots can lead to trouble. They prefer soil that’s slightly alkaline and full of nutrients. Try to give each plant about 18 to 24 inches of space so they’re not crowding each other. That bit of space helps them grow tall without getting stressed.
Starting from Seeds or Buying Plants
If you’re patient, growing hollyhocks from seed is cheaper and gives you more choices. You can sow them directly in the ground in early spring, or start them indoors a bit before the last frost. If you want a quicker result, garden centers often sell starter plants that are ready to pop into the soil. Either way works fine—just know that hollyhocks often bloom in their second year, not the first.
How to Care for Hollyhocks
Water and Soil Needs
Keep the soil around your hollyhocks evenly moist, especially during dry spells. Letting the top layer dry out a bit between waterings is good. What they don’t like is sitting in wet soil, so drainage really matters. A bit of mulch can help keep moisture in and stop weeds popping up all around them.
Feeding for Better Blooms
Hollyhocks like a little feeding during the growing season. Use a balanced organic fertilizer—but go easy. Too much can lead to big leafy plants that don’t flower much. A couple of light feeds through spring and summer usually does the trick.
Staking Tall Plants
Since hollyhocks can grow over 2.5 meters tall, it’s a good idea to give them something to lean on. Stakes or a simple plant cage added early in the season can stop them from falling over after rain or wind. It also makes tidying and pruning much easier.
Fixing Common Hollyhock Problems
Dealing with Rust and Pests
Hollyhock rust is pretty common—it's that orange-brown spotting you might see on leaves. To avoid it, space your plants out well, don’t water from overhead, and remove any infected leaves right away. If the problem sticks around, you can use a fungicide. Keep an eye out for bugs too, like aphids or beetles. Most can be managed with a bit of insecticidal soap.
Pruning and Deadheading
To keep your hollyhocks looking neat and blooming longer, snip off the flowers once they fade. That’s called deadheading. If you don’t want them self-seeding all over, remove the seed heads too. But if you're happy to have more pop up next year, just let a few seeds fall naturally.
Tips for Growing Tall Hollyhocks
If you want big, showy plants, start with good soil and keep them watered during dry spells. Feeding now and then helps too. But the key is early support—get those stakes in while the plants are still small. With the right care, they’ll shoot up and put on a real display.
Quick Hollyhock Care List
- Plant in full sun with well-draining soil
- Leave space between plants to help airflow
- Water when dry, but don’t overdo it
- Feed lightly through spring and summer
- Stake taller plants early on
- Keep an eye out for rust and pests
- Deadhead to keep the flowers coming
Hollyhocks FAQ
Are hollyhocks hard to grow?
Not really. They just need sun, decent soil, and a bit of support. Once they’re going, they’re pretty low-effort.
When should I plant hollyhocks?
Spring is best—after the last frost. That way they get a good start as the soil warms up.
How do I stop rust?
Give plants space, avoid wetting the leaves, and take off any affected ones fast. If it’s bad, use a rust-specific fungicide.
Do hollyhocks reseed themselves?
Yes, quite easily. If you let some seed heads dry and fall, you’ll likely see new ones next year.