Hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) are tall, dramatic garden plants prized for their towering spikes of colorful flowers. Successfully growing these biennials or short-lived perennials often begins with correctly identifying the young plant in the garden bed. Distinguishing a desirable hollyhock sprout from common weeds is an important early step in cultivation. This process requires close attention to the earliest leaf structures that emerge from the soil.
The Appearance of Seed Leaves (Cotyledons)
The very first structures to emerge after a hollyhock seed germinates are the cotyledons, or seed leaves. These leaves do not resemble the mature foliage but serve as the plant’s initial energy source, drawing nutrients stored within the seed. Typically, the cotyledons of Alcea rosea are small, uniform, and often exhibit a smooth, slightly rounded or teardrop-like shape. They are usually a lighter shade of green than the forthcoming true leaves. These leaves are structurally simple and lack the distinct veining or lobing that characterizes the mature plant.
Characteristics of the First True Leaves
The emergence of the first true leaves marks the point where the hollyhock sprout becomes easily identifiable. These leaves are the first to display the characteristic features of the Malvaceae family, to which hollyhocks belong. The shape is distinctly palmate, meaning they are lobed and resemble a miniature hand. These initial true leaves often feature three to seven shallow lobes, which become more pronounced as the plant matures. A defining feature is the texture of the leaf surface, which is typically rugose, or puckered and wrinkled, with noticeable depressed veins. Furthermore, the true leaves are often covered in fine, soft hairs, giving them a slightly fuzzy or pubescent feel when touched; this rougher texture sharply contrasts with the smooth surface of the preceding cotyledons, and the color is generally a richer, deeper green.
Early Growth Habits and Look-Alikes
Once the true leaves are established, the young hollyhock plant begins its characteristic growth pattern by forming a basal rosette. This means the leaves grow outward in a circular, ground-hugging cluster, maintaining a low profile during the first season of growth. This growth habit conserves energy and protects the plant’s crown, allowing it to survive the winter before sending up its tall flower spike in the second year. A common challenge in identification arises because the hollyhock belongs to the mallow family, and its sprouts can look very similar to common garden weeds like common mallow (Malva neglecta). The primary difference often lies in the depth of the lobing and the texture of the leaf; hollyhock true leaves tend to have more defined or deeper lobes than the rounder, more shallowly-lobed leaves of common mallow seedlings.