Facts about Mallow

• Every part of this weed is edible: root, leaves, flowers, and fruit.
• The sap in the root of this plant was used to make the original marshmallows; modern marshmallows are made using gelatin instead.
• Mallow has many holistic medicinal uses including anti-inflammatory benefits, digestion benefits, and is considered an aphrodisiac.

Ideal Conditions for Weed Growth

Mallow is both an annual and a biennial depending on the climate. The taproot of this weed can grow from a few inches up to 24 inches deep, making it very hard to eradicate. This weed can be found in any disturbed soil. It’s common in lawns, gardens, and along roadsides. Mallow flowers from May-October.

How to Control Mallow

If you are hand weeding you need to pull out the whole taproot. If even a small portion is left behind a new plant can grow. The best way to avoid seeing mallow show up in your lawn is to have a thick, tall lawn, mowed at least 3 inches tall. When the lawn is dense, it won’t leave room for the weeds to grow. You can achieve a lush lawn through proper cultural practices, including proper watering, mowing tall, and feeding the lawn organic matter. You can control this weed both pre-emergently and post-emergently depending on the stage of the plant.

• For pre-emergent weed control, we offer a 100% organic product called Synergy. This will help keep weed seeds from germinating properly. It’s also a great fertilizer.
• For post-emergent weed control we apply a product called One Earth. This is a 100% organic weed control and fertilizer. One Earth will kill broadleaf weeds that have come up, while fertilizing the grass.

Results with Weed Control

For pre-emergent control you can expect the best results with Synergy by using it in spring and fall.

• Year 1: 60% control rate on weeds in a lawn
• Year 2: 70% control rate on weeds in a lawn
• Year 3: 80% control rate on weeds in a lawn
• Year 4+: 90%+ control rate on weeds in a lawn

For post-emergent weed control, you can expect about a 60-80% control rate of mallow, especially during the spring when the weed is young and actively growing. If you do back to back applications about 1 week apart you will see about an 80-90% control rate. Back to back applications are needed if the mallow is more mature.

Is this Mallow?

Dovefoot geranium isn’t found in Colorado, but it is found in many states east of Colorado as well as the west coast. The leaves of this weed will look very similar to mallow but the geranium will have pinkish- green to red stems. Below is a photo of Dovefoot geranium.