How to Start Hollyhocks

Overview

Nothing is more reminiscent of an old-fashioned country garden than the hollyhock. With tall, gorgeous stalks of bright flowers bunched on top of one another, this short-bloomer was once considered the staple bloom to tumble over picket fences or line the sides of houses. Grown in zones 3-8, hollyhock is available in many shades of red, orange, yellow, pink and purple.

Step 1

Plant seeds indoors in 3-inch pots in February in a good seed-starter soil or mix.

Step 2

Keep pots moist but not over-watered until seeds germinate. Thin weakest seedlings out, leaving just one hardy seedling. Hollyhocks will take about 2 weeks to germinate.

Step 3

Allow soil to dry out between waterings as your seedling grows. Give your new plants plenty of direct sunlight (growing in a cold frame, greenhouse or greenhouse window is best.) Turn your plants and move as needed to keep the growing plant from stretching too far one way into the light.

Step 4

Transplant your hollyhocks into the garden by digging a hole twice as big as your pot and adding compost or fertilizer to the bottom before adding the flower. Hollyhocks need a strong root system to flourish, so be sure to remove your plant carefully from the pot and bury the whole root system in loose, well-draining soil. Do not expect much in the way of blooms in your plants first year. Once established for a year, your hollyhocks will bloom brightly year after year.