Easily grown in a rich well-drained soil in a sunny position. Tolerates a pH in the range 6 to 7.8. This species is not hardy in the colder areas of the country, it tolerates temperatures down to about -5°c and can be grown outdoors in the milder areas of the country. The plant grows as a shrub in frost-free climates but is usually cut back to the ground in British winters. So long as these winters are not too cold, however, it can usually be grown as a herbaceous perennial with new shoots being produced freely from the root-stock. These flower in the summer. It is probably wise to apply a good mulch to the roots in the autumn. It is best to cut back the stems to about 15cm long in the spring even if they have not been killed back by the frost. This will ensure an abundance of new growth and plenty of flowers in the summer. The musk mallow is widely cultivated in tropical climates for its many uses. There is at least one named form, selected for its ornamental value. 'Mischief' is somewhat smaller than the species, reaching a height of 50cm.

Young leaves and shoots - cooked in soups. Used as a vegetable. The leaves are also used to clarify sugar. Unripe seedpods - cooked as a vegetable in much the same way as okra (A. esculentus). Seed - cooked. It is fried or roasted and has a flavor similar to sesame seeds. The seed is also used as a flavoring for liqueurs or to scent coffee. An essential oil is obtained from the plant and is used to flavor baked goods, ice cream, sweets and soft drinks. Root. No more details are given, though the root is likely to have a bland flavor and a fibrous texture.

Seed - sow April in a greenhouse. The seed germinates best at a temperature around 24 - 24°c. When large enough to handle, prick out the seedlings into individual pots of rich soil and plant them out after the last expected frosts. The seed can also be sown in situ in late April in areas with warm summers. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July in a frame.

Open places in Nepal at elevations of 600 - 1100 metres. Flat areas, valleys, stream sides and scrub slopes in western and southern China.