Pavonia cymbalaria, commonly known as pavonia or Argentine mallow, is a low-growing shrubby perennial native to Argentina that brings delicate charm to gardens in zones 8-9. This compact plant reaches just 9-12 inches tall and wide, making it perfect for front borders and containers. From June through August, it produces showy pink five-petaled flowers roughly 2.5 inches across that sit atop gray-green foliage, blooming prolifically through the heat of late spring and early summer. Low maintenance and trouble-free, it thrives in full sun with moderate water and rich, well-drained soil.
Full Sun
Moderate
8-9
12in H x 12in W
—
Moderate
Hover over chart points for details
Pavonia cymbalaria blooms for months on end, its pink mallow-like flowers emerging continuously from June into August with minimal fuss. The gray foliage provides subtle textural contrast that makes the bright pink blooms pop even more. Its compact, spreading habit and modest water needs make it surprisingly easy to grow, and it performs beautifully in containers where its low profile and long flowering season can be fully appreciated. The five-petaled flowers are generously sized, typically 2.5 inches across, so despite the plant's small stature it delivers real visual impact.
Pavonia cymbalaria is grown as an ornamental flowering plant, valued primarily for its long season of showy pink blooms and compact, tidy growth habit. Its low stature and modest spread make it well-suited to front-of-border plantings, rock gardens, and container displays where its continuous flowering from early summer through late summer provides reliable color. The gray foliage adds textural interest throughout the growing season, enhancing its appeal as a decorative plant in mixed borders.
No timeline data available yet for this variety.
No care instructions available yet for this variety.
Enter your ZIP code to see a personalized growing calendar for this plant.
“Pavonia cymbalaria hails from Argentina, where it evolved as a low-growing shrubby mallow adapted to specific regional conditions. The genus name honors Jose Antonio Pavon (1754-1844), a Spanish botanist whose botanical research focused on the diverse flora of Peru and Chile, regions where related Pavonia species naturally occur. This variety's introduction to cultivation reflects the 18th and 19th century tradition of European botanical exploration in South America, when researchers and plant collectors systematically documented and brought back plant material from these botanically rich regions.”