Hollyhocks are typically biennials, meaning they grow foliage in their first year and bloom in their second. However, in favorable conditions, many hollyhocks act more like perennials, returning year after year.

Their tall spikes can rise to 6–8 feet and are adorned with large, funnel-shaped flowers in colors ranging from soft pastels to bright jewel tones.

Balcony gardening dates back to Ancient Rome, where affluent citizens adorned their villas with hanging and potted plants on upper floors.

The trend re-emerged during the Industrial Revolution as cities grew more congested, prompting residents to reclaim small outdoor spaces for personal greenery.

Plants release water vapor from stomata in their leaves, and this natural cooling moderates urban heat island effects, especially in densely built areas.

If plants lack water during extreme heatwaves, their canopy temperatures can rise above ambient air temperatures due to transpiration inefficiency.