When to Plant Hollyhock Seeds for Beautiful Blooms

Bright pink Alcea rosea, or hollyhock, in flower. — Credit:
Alex Manders / Getty Images

Key Points

Plant hollyhock seeds in the late summer or early fall, at least 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost.
Don't wait too long—seeds planted too late in the fall won't have enough time to establish themselves before winter.
Plant the seeds in a sunny, well-draining location.

Hollyhock blooms are known for their dramatic colors and tall spikes, adding visual appeal and vertical drama to your garden. These flowers are rich in nectar and will attract pollinators like hummingbirds and butterflies to your yard.

Best of all, hollyhock is very low maintenance, can tolerate poor soil, and can easily self-seed. Of course, there are still a few things you should know about when and where to grow these seeds, so make sure to follow these tips and tricks.

Dan Jacques, grower specialist at Sun Gro Horticulture
Megan Edge, a garden expert and holistic garden educator
Troy Hake, garden expert and the owner and founder of Outsidepride

Common Varieties

There are several different varieties of hollyhock, all of which bring vertical interest and promote wildlife.

Chater’s Double: This variety has lush, peony-like, double flowers in a rainbow of colors. It is an heirloom variety that, according to Dan Jacques, grower specialist at Sun Gro Horticulture, adds romantic drama to garden borders. This variety is best planted in early spring or late summer. They may bloom in their second year if they're started outdoors, or in their first year if started early indoors.

The Watchman: This flower is a deep, near-black bloom with an antique look that's perfect for gothic or vintage garden themes, says Jacques. Sow these seeds outdoors in spring. These biennials need a year to establish before blooming.

Nigra: A dark, single-petaled flower, this variety attracts bees and adds plenty of visual depth to a garden. Like the Watchman, you can sow these seeds outdoors in spring, and they need a year to establish before blooming.

Peaches 'n Dreams: This flower has a frilly mix of peach, pink, and cream petals, and is perfect for cutting gardens. It's best planted in early spring or late summer. These may bloom their second year when started outdoors, or their first year if indoors.

Queeny Purple: This is a dwarf variety, growing 2 to 3 ft tall, with richly colored double blooms. These flowers are great for containers or small spaces, and can bloom in the first year. Sow them indoors 8 to 9 weeks before the last frost.

Radiant Rose: These open, vibrant pink blooms are ideal for pollinators and classic English cottage-style gardens. Sow these in early spring or start indoors for summer blooms.

When to Plant

As a general rule, you should plant hollyhock during the late summer or early fall, ideally at least 6 to 8 weeks before the first frost. If unsure, refer to a seasonal calendar for when to plant in your area.

However, be aware that seeds sown directly in the soil are not likely to bloom during their first year. “Planting during this time frame gives hollyhock time to establish a strong rosette over winter, which leads to better flowering the following summer,” says Megan Edge, a garden expert and holistic garden educator.

You can also start seeds indoors in late winter and transplant them in early spring once the soil has warmed up—but fall planting generally yields hardier plants and earlier blooms.

When Not to Plant

Avoid planting hollyhock too late in the fall—always be mindful of the first frost date. Seeds planted after mid-fall won't have enough time to establish their foliage before the winter, notes Jacques. This is especially true in colder zones.

Avoid planting hollyhocks in compacted or soggy soil, as this can lead to poor drainage and root rot.

Where to Plant

Hollyhock seeds can be sown directly outdoors.

“But you can also start them indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost,” says Troy Hake, owner and founder of Outsidepride. “In both cases, you’ll see foliage and root growth the first year, with blooms appearing the second.”

How to Plant

Find the perfect site. Choose a sunny, well-draining location with protection from strong winds, says Edge.
Soak the seeds. Because hollyhock seeds have a tough outer coat, Hake suggests soaking them in tepid water for about 12 hours before planting.
Sow the seeds. Plant them about 1/4 inch deep and 18 to 24 inches apart. Gently press them into the soil without covering, since they need light to germinate.
Water your seeds. Gently sprinkle water over the seeds to help settle the soil. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seeds germinate.
Consider adding mulch. In colder climates, you might consider mulching lightly over the seeds in winter. This will protect young rosettes from extreme cold.
Compost in spring. By the spring season, you’ll want to feed the seeds with compost or fertilizer and water them regularly.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do hollyhocks flower the first year?

Typically no. But some varieties like Queeny Purple do flower the first year. If started indoors, there are many hollyhock varieties that are more likely to bloom sooner—but this isn't guaranteed.
Do hollyhocks improve soil?

Yes, this flower has a deep taproot that supports soil structure, and helps enrich depleted soil. Hollyhock can tolerate poor soil, and is considered very low maintenance.