Annual Checkerbloom (Sidalcea calycosa) is a charming, ephemeral wildflower native to western North America, featuring delicate pink to lavender, cup-shaped flowers.
At-a-glance light, water, soil, and growing conditions from plant data
Full Sun
100% intensity
Prefers at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day for best flowering and growth.
Moderate
50% intensity
Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during the growing season. Allow top inch to dry between waterings.
Well-drained
50% intensity
Moderate
50% intensity
Thrives in average room temperatures between 18-24°C. Can tolerate cooler temperatures but may slow growth.
Low
25% intensity
Fertilize lightly in spring with a balanced fertilizer. Avoid over-fertilizing, which can lead to leggy growth.
Safety information from plant toxicity data
| Attribute | Value |
|---|---|
| Toxic for humans | No 0/5 intensity |
| Toxic for pets | No 0/5 intensity |
| Edible | No |
None
Key traits and growing stats from plant data
Watering, pruning, propagation, and repotting details from plant data
Water consistently during the growing season, allowing the top 2-3 cm of soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering significantly in fall and winter as the plant enters dormancy.
Avoid waterlogged conditions, which can lead to root rot.
Deadhead spent flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming and prevent self-seeding. In late fall, after flowering, cut back the entire plant to about 5-10 cm above the ground to tidy up the garden and prepare for winter.
Propagate from seed sown in early spring or fall. Seeds can be sown directly into the garden or started indoors a few weeks before the last frost. Sidalcea calycosa can also be propagated by division in early spring.
This is an annual plant and typically does not require repotting. If started from seed indoors, transplant seedlings into larger pots when they have developed a few true leaves, or directly into the garden after the danger of frost has passed.
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Monthly activity intensity for bloom and fruit across both hemispheres.
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Flowering & fruiting calendar
Photos of Annual Checkerbloom (Sidalcea calycosa)
Where Annual Checkerbloom (Sidalcea calycosa) is found
Density
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Common names and botanical synonyms
Botanical classification
| Rank | Name |
|---|---|
| Kingdom | Plantae |
| Division | Tracheophyta |
| Class | Magnoliopsida |
| Order | Malvales |
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Genus | Sidalcea |
| Species | Sidalcea calycosa |
Similar in genus Sidalcea
Answers based on plant encyclopedia data
