Hollyhock
Alcea rosea
An ornamental plant, planted March to July or September to November, or sown January, March to June or September to November.
In September: clear away the dead hollyhock stems and leaves and cut it back. It can be sown under cover, planted out or planted now. Wear gloves: the bristly stems and leaves can irritate skin.
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Hollyhock, month by month
Bar: the usual months. Sprout: this month.
| Sowing, planting or job | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec | 2027Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow under cover. | usual | usual | usual | none | usual | none | none | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Sow outdoors. | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | usual | none | none |
| Plant out. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none |
| Plant a pot-grown hollyhock. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none |
| Stake the hollyhock. | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual | none | none |
| Clear away the dead hollyhock stems and leaves. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | usual |
| Cut back the hollyhock. | usual | usual | usual | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none | none |
What to do, and when
The usual months for a UK garden. Your own plan gives the week.
Handle it with care
Wear gloves: the bristly stems and leaves can irritate skin.
Moderate sources: Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden and Sarah Raven.
Sowing and planting
Sow under cover January, April to May, and September to November, 1.5cm deep. Strong sources: RHS and Mr Fothergill’s.
Sow outdoors March to June, 5mm deep. Strong sources: RHS and Mr Fothergill’s.
Plant out May to July, and September to November, 60cm apart. Moderate sources: Sarah Raven, Gardeners’ World and Mr Fothergill’s.
Plant a pot-grown hollyhock March to May, and September to November, 60cm apart. Moderate source: RHS.
Stake the hollyhock
Support the tall stems with a sturdy cane.
Usually June. Moderate source: Gardeners’ World.
Clear away the dead hollyhock stems and leaves
Cut off dead and diseased leaves and throw them away; don’t compost them, as fungal spores could spread.
Usually August to November. Moderate sources: Gardeners’ World and Sarah Raven.
Cut back the hollyhock
Cut the finished flower spikes off at the base of the stem, unless you want seed.
Usually September to November. Moderate source: Sarah Raven.
What the source words mean
Strong: the RHS page for this plant is among them.Moderate: another trusted UK source, or the RHS on its group.
Every line above names the page it comes from. Where we found no good source for a job, we left it out. Where the name “Hollyhock” comes from.