Low mallow has a presence in a variety of regions across the globe. Native to parts of Europe and Western Asia, low mallow has also spread to other continents including North America, South America, Africa, and Asia. While low mallow has adapted to some areas outside its native range, there are regions where it is sometimes thought to be invasive, although the full extent of its impact on local ecosystems may vary. Notably, it is observed in the temperate zones of the Northern Hemisphere.

Low mallow originates from Europe and parts of Asia. As a weed, this plant is considered troublesome due to a combination of characteristics. It is highly adaptive, has a rapid growth rate, and most importantly, it's invasive. When allowed to grow uncontrolled, low mallow can create a thick mat of plants, casting a shade which can inhibit the growth of desirable plants and gradually take over entire flower beds or vegetable patches in a garden, thereby threatening the garden’s productivity and aesthetic appeal. Additionally, it reproduces prolifically and disperses its seeds widely. Its seeds are attached to a tiny piece of fluffy material enabling them to be easily carried away by wind to new locations. This allows the plant to colonize new areas quickly and makes it very difficult for a gardener to contain its spread. Hence, its aggressive nature and the ability to spread via wind-dispersed seeds make low mallow a tenacious weed, which can cause significant harm to gardens if not properly controlled.

The best season for removal of low mallow is in early spring before the plant has had a chance to flower and spread its seeds. The weed needs to be removed before it reaches its flowering state to prevent further proliferation.