The Best Time To Plant Hollyhock Flowers From Seed (& When To Expect Blooms)

Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are a beautiful, tall perennial that are known for their hardy characteristics, and for coming back stronger year after year. They can grow upwards of 6 feet, and their flowers are simply stunning, often seen in varying shades of pink, red, and purple among many others. Hollyhocks are prolific self-seeding flowers, and if you don't have any in your backyard as of yet, then you may want to incorporate them into your garden design to ensure an abundance of reoccurring blooms. 

Planting hollyhocks from seed will give you the most control over the growing process, and it's the more affordable option compared to buying mature plants. But, when is the best time to plant hollyhock and when can you expect them to bloom? If you're planning to sow your seeds outdoors, then we'd recommend doing it in late summer, six to eight weeks before the first frost occurs. But, if you've got a greenhouse, you can do this a little earlier.  Keep in mind these flowers do best in USDA Hardiness zones 3 to 9.

Patience is key with hollyhocks, because during the first year they are simply focused on building a strong root system. As such, these plants won't flower until the following year when you can expect to see blooms from June to September. Once your backyard is filled with tall, colorful hollyhocks, we think you'll agree it was worth the wait. 

First, you're going to need a seed tray. Fill the tray with peat-free seed compost and give it a generous watering, allowing the water to fully drain. Take your hollyhock seeds and pop them down onto the surface on the compost about half an inch apart to give them enough space. Then, add a little seed compost over top and leave them alone to propagate. After about two weeks, you should start to see seedlings poking out of the soil. Let them continue growing for another five or six weeks so the plants to fully establish before replanting them in your chosen spot in the garden.

You may be thinking, where is the best place to plant hollyhocks? Their favorite location is in full sun, in well-drained soil conditions. It's always recommended to plant them towards the back of your flower bed as their impressive height can sometimes dominate other plants if they are planted too near the front. Placing them at the back will frame your border beautifully and will also be good for adding privacy if needed.

For younger hollyhocks, it's important that you keep the soil relatively moist. More mature plants can handle less watering, but this isn't the case with freshly planted hollyhocks. Your hollyhocks also may require additional fertilizer if your soil isn't rich enough to help them grow and get the vital nutrients that they need. There are a few common problems with hollyhocks, including their predisposition to certain fungal diseases. Keep this in mind as they grow.