Hollyhock is grown for its blooms, which open in summer. It's hardy across USDA zones 5 through 9. Its summer flowers are a real draw for honeybees, native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Zones
5-9
pH Range
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Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
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Which pests actually threaten hollyhock where you grow?
Japanese beetle is only documented in part of the country, so the answer depends on where you plant. Enter your location and we'll tell you which one reaches your land — and the move that beats it.
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What Hollyhock is
Hollyhock reaches around six feet at maturity. It blooms in summer.
How to grow Hollyhock
Hollyhock grows in USDA zones 5 through 9. Hollyhock does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day, on well-drained ground.
USDA Zones
5-9
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
Data pending
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
Growable Ground plant catalog
Drainage
well (dry spells)
Growable Ground plant catalog
Mature Height
6 ft
Growable Ground plant catalog
Frost-Free Days
0+
The frost-free stretch it needs start to finish — short-season areas may need an indoor head start.
Growable Ground plant catalog
Start the season right
Plant hollyhock in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun.
Match the soil
Pull a soil test from your local Extension lab to confirm pH and drainage match hollyhock's needs before planting.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. A 2–3 inch mulch layer holds moisture without waterlogging.
Harvest at its peak
Cut hollyhock blooms in the cool of the morning, just as they open, for the longest display.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — hollyhock isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Hollyhock is a standout pollinator plant — high value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Hollyhock thrives
Hollyhock is hardy across USDA zones 5 through 9. Zone is only the starting point, though: the soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific land decide how well it actually does.
Zones 5–9·Where Hollyhock growsOpen map →
On USDA hardiness-zone overlap, Hollyhock can grow in these states:
See if Hollyhock will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether hollyhock actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Hollyhock in my zone?
Hollyhock grows in USDA hardiness zones 5 through 9 (USDA PHZM 2023). Zone is one factor — soil pH, drainage, and frost dates on your specific parcel also shape whether it takes.
When should you plant Hollyhock?
Time hollyhock to your own season rather than the calendar. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Hollyhock need?
Hollyhock needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Hollyhock need?
Specific pH data for hollyhock is pending. It prefers well-drained ground. A soil test from your local Extension lab confirms what your site needs.
Does Hollyhock attract pollinators?
Yes — hollyhock's flowers are a strong nectar and pollen source for honeybees, native bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. (Source: Pollinator Partnership.)
Is Hollyhock safe for pets?
Hollyhock is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data. Always supervise pets around new plantings. (Source: ASPCA.)