The sight of hundreds of cup-shaped hollyhocks blooming on a wall is a visual treat. But being aesthetically enchanting is just one of the many aspects of this tall and elegant flowering plant. Hollyhocks are also widely used for their medicinal and herbal benefits, both in man and animals.

As discussed in last week’s column, one of the stories about how the plant came to be known as hollyhock is that it was used on the hind legs, or the hocks, of the horses participating in the crusades to reduce pain and inflammation. Although there isn’t any significant empirical evidence to prove the medicinal uses of the hollyhock flower, it continues to be extensively used as an application to reduce the severity in different minor ailments, low-level pain and to facilitate the healing of wounds.

Among other things, the flower is used for skin and dermatological issues, such as treating bed sores, and the resultant ulcers and different forms of swellings. The hollyhock has also been used for mild forms of early gingivitis, bad breath and even to prevent breathing disorders. Its tea and infusion is also considered beneficial for digestive tract health and stomach ulcers. The roots of the hollyhocks are also considered healthy.

There are also certain legends surrounding the plant. One such belief entails that the hollyhocks are planted outside the entrance of the house to prevent any evil spirits from entering. Historically, the plant was also considered to bring with it improved fertility and good fortune for the dwellers. It is understandable, then, that the flower made its way into witchcraft and spiritual practices as well.

The tall and elegant flowering plant requires six hours of sunlight daily between dawn and the afternoon

The previous column described how to sow the seeds of the hollyhock plant when the temperature is in the range of 18 to 23 degrees Celsius. In favourable conditions, good quality seeds are likely to germinate within 10 days to two weeks of sowing the seeds.

Within one to two weeks of germination, true leaves begin to appear on the seedlings. Once the plant grows six to seven true leaves, it is time to begin transplanting it, provided the seeds were grown in a seedling tray or any other makeshift arrangement, such as small containers.

During this phase of the plant life cycle, it is important to stay vigilant against any insect or pest attacks. Any indication of such attacks should be dealt with as early as possible. The pest or insect can be removed manually or with the help of a toothpick, especially from the underside of the leaves.

Whether you prepare a wall of adjacent plants in the yard, place a huge pot with one plant each on either side of your house entrance or simply make a colourful corner with a hollyhock plant with blooming flowers, the minimum space required by each plant is of at least one to two feet on either side.

This will also allow better aeration between the leaves and reduce chances of any probable pest attacks as well. The hollyhock plant grows better when it is planted in a container measuring 16 inches, both in width and depth. However, the plant can survive in 12-inch pots as well.

It is always best to grow hollyhocks in the ground or in raised beds. When planted in the ground, one can also reduce the distance between each plant by around three to six inches.

Ideally, at this stage, the plant requires direct sunlight exposure of at least six hours. Therefore, it is important to keep the sunlight position in consideration when transplanting the hollyhock sapling to its permanent location. It is also suggested that the six-hour period of sunlight should stretch from dawn to afternoon and not from afternoon to evening. The latter phase of sunlight is considered relatively harsh.

Watering should be timed in such a manner that the soil remains moist till the next scheduled watering. The gardener must bear in mind that the plant is neither overwatered nor parched. The growth and maturity phase of the hollyhock plant is relatively longer than other common seasonal flowering plants, and one needs to remain patient to enjoy the fruits of their labour.

The next column will elaborate on the flowering phase of the hollyhocks, its fertiliser requirements and other interesting aspects of this flowering plant.

Please send your queries and emails to doctree101@hotmail.com. The writer is a physician and a host for the YouTube channel ‘DocTree Gardening’ promoting organic kitchen gardening

Published in Dawn, EOS, January 12th, 2025