Hollyhock Seeds (heirloom)

Grow the best heirloom hollyhock in your flower garden

Hollyhock has been described as a biennial, an annual, and a short-lived perennial, giving it a bit of an identity crisis. Hollyhock gives the impression of being perennial due to its frequent self-sowing. Alternatively, if planted early enough, it may blossom in the first year, indicating that it is an annual. Heirloom hollyhock seeds are technically biennials, and each plant will complete its two-year life cycle regardless of the sowing schedule.

Hollyhocks, or Alcea rosea, are flowers that grow naturally in southwest and central Asia. Heirloom hollyhocks, which are related to hibiscus plants, offer therapeutic characteristics and have been used in traditional herbal medicine for many years.

Growing conditions for heirloom hollyhock

Hollyhocks like wet, rich, well-draining soil that receives plenty of sunlight. If required, they will endure some partial shade. Before planting, soak your seeds in warm water for around 12 hours.

Sow your seeds outside one week before the estimated last frost date. Alternatively, you may start your seeds indoors nine weeks before the last frost date and transfer them outside two to three weeks later. Because hollyhocks require sunshine to germinate, push the seeds firmly into the soil without covering them. If started indoors, sow your heirloom hollyhock seeds into tall pots to accommodate their long taproots.

Provide the best care for your heirloom hollyhock plants

Remove dead blooms as soon as they wither to increase the two to three year lifespan of your hollyhocks. In colder climates, you may also trim the hollyhocks down and mulch around the base of the plants. Water your plants from below to provide adequate air circulation between them and prevent rust and disease.

Check out Eden Brothers' Heirloom Indian Spring Hollyhock Seed Mix if you want to enjoy both single and semi-double hollyhock blooms in your garden this year! Perhaps you want something classic and modest, like the stunning white blossoms of our Heirloom Majorette Double White Hollyhock Seed Mix. With these lovely blossoms, the possibilities are boundless!

For more information about planting, growing, and caring for heirloom hollyhock flower seed, see the Hollyhock Seeds Planting Guide.