Common Mallow – From Seed to Harvest: As We Grow Together

Welcome to the beginning of our Common Mallow: As We Grow series, where we take you through the full life cycle of this resilient and beneficial plant, from seed to harvest and back again, grown entirely in our indoor hydroponic setup.

Our journey with Common Mallow (Malva neglecta) began not in a seed packet, but in the wild. Last year, we discovered a few thriving plants in their natural environment and decided to keep a close eye on them. We waited patiently until the flowers faded and turned to seed, then carefully collected, dried, and stored the seeds in a cool, dark place to preserve their vitality.

Now, we're giving those seeds a new life. One of our primary goals is to nurture a plant that will grow strong, flower, and produce seeds of its own, ensuring a sustainable cycle that we can continue for years to come. It’s a small act of regeneration, but one that feels deeply meaningful. We're especially excited to see the plant's delicate white and purple flowers bloom, and we’ll be sure to share photos and updates with you as the project unfolds.

But growing Common Mallow isn't just about sustainability or beauty—this humble plant also offers a rich history of use in traditional medicine, and it's known for a variety of health and wellness benefits.

The leaves, flowers, and roots of Common Mallow have been used for centuries to soothe and support the body:

• Digestive Support: Rich in mucilage, mallow can coat and calm the digestive tract, helping with issues like stomach irritation and mild constipation.

• Respiratory Relief: Its soothing properties make it a gentle remedy for dry coughs, sore throats, and bronchial inflammation.

• Skin Healing: When applied topically, mallow can help relieve skin irritation, rashes, minor wounds, and insect bites.

• Anti-inflammatory Benefits: With its natural anti-inflammatory compounds, Common Mallow may help reduce inflammation both internally and externally.

By cultivating this plant indoors, we’re not only embracing a sustainable approach to gardening—we're also reconnecting with the natural healing traditions passed down through generations. Growing Common Mallow allows us to bring a bit of the wild indoors, and to share its beauty and benefits with others.

Stay tuned as we continue our As We Grow series—this is just the beginning of our Common Mallow story.