Plants ordered now will ship in September 🙂
Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) potted plant, organic
$8.50 – $57.00
Family: Mallow (Malvaceae)
Hardy to Zones 3 to 9
The Latin name says it all–this plant is a healer extraordinaire. And, this healing comes in a fairly humble package, although actually the plant does flower rather gloriously. Marshmallow prefers full sun to part shade, rich, moist garden soil and poor drainage (ie clay) is not a problem. The herb may be dried for tea or the root sliced and dried for direct consumption. The effects are immune enhancing and healing to the gastrointestinal system, largely used for treating colds, influenza, fevers, urinary infections and ulcers. See “Making Plant Medicine.” Space plants 2 feet apart.
Potted plant, Certified Organically Grown
d.bryant1a.z (verified owner) –
I receive 3 of these plants and made them companions to Mrs Mugwort and Miss Wormwood absinthe in the raised bed with about 200+ pounds of manure and coco coir mix. They all grew wonderfully well with extreme growth even when we went the the most dry year here in the Midwest with absolutely no rain at all. Very strange really, its usually very humid and plenty of rain. Now today is 11/28/24 and all of these plants are still putting out growth even in the cold is coming in. Richo, do these need to be cut down to the ground when the freeze comes soon?
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Richo Cech –
Hello D, Thanks for your report. Coir definitely helps when water is scarce, and marshmallow itself has a lot of mucilage, which also engenders drought resistance. At this point the plants will senesce–go back down to the root–by themselves, or you can just cut them back to the crown, either way. Check the mallow section in “Growing Plant Medicine Vol 2” for more good info. All the best, richo
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Timothy Ritchey (verified owner) –
I ordered and received 3 marshmallow plants. They were vibrant (but I could tell that winter is coming to Oregon). I planted them in gallon pots, as per the instructions and put them in my grow tent. They are growing like crazy and I will move them to the garden about the first of February (I am in Arizona). Very happy with the quality of the plant and the way they were packed. I love ordering plants, roots and seeds from you. Thank you so much.
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Richo Cech –
hi timothy, thank you for taking good care of the marshmallows. they are actually the coolest mallow in my opinion. up-potting to a gallon is the simplest road to success. richo
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Question
Ricki –
If I Eder now (Sept) will they keep indoors until early spring? Or should zi go ahead and plant them. Zone 7.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Ricki, thanks for writing and for wanting marshmallow. They don’t call it Althaea (healing) for nothin. The plant likes outdoor conditions and would suffer indoors. In a Z 7 it is warm enough to plant in fall, and if this is done, and the planting mulched and marked, then spring re-emergence is a reasonable expectation, and flowers will occur by early summer. These get huge–give them plenty of room. Richo
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Question
Stephanie Moore (verified owner) –
What’s the best time to plant the seedling in Zone 5?
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Richo Cech –
hi stephanie, marshmallow is resilient and frost resistant. It can be set to the garden from spring on through early summer. richo
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Heather Small –
I live in the New England area, in Oakham, MA.
We have gotten marshmallow from a local farm, would like to grow our own, what is the best whay to go about this.
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Richo Cech –
hello heather, surely the most cost-effective approach is to get a packet of seeds and plant them in the spring. the species-specific directions are on the packet. otherwise, yes, we’d be happy to send you plants in the spring. they get very large and are quite productive! richo
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Question
Allison Bennett Saupe –
What time of year is best to grow marshmallow and is a Sun room needed until no more frost in springtime please? .
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Richo Cech –
hi allison, marshmallow is best seeded from february on to may. it may be grown as a simple herbaceous perennial in the usual manner. you can even direct-seed it in the spring garden. richo
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Diane Mark –
Hello I live in zone 9b in Phoenix Az. Would marshmallow grow here? What does it mean hardy to zones 3-7? Ir can only grow in those zones? Thanks!
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Richo Cech –
hi diane, zones on plant descriptions are a general guide only. They are kind of like “best if used by” dates on canned goods–sometimes the designation is extremely relevant and sometimes the food is fine even past date. Anyhow back to plants, the zone designation means, at the bottom end (3) that the plant will overwinter reliably in a zone 3 but not a zone 2. On the top end (7) that means the plant will be happiest in places with moderately hot summers, and if you’re in a zone 9 the plant may tend to burn up. Therefore, one would plant it in a moist, shady area and given the extremely robust nature of marshmallow, you’ll be fine. Use zones as a general guide and don’t succumb to zonophobia. I always used to NOT put zones on plant monographs but my customers forced me to… richo
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Laura Meyer –
Does Marshmallow grow very well on the west side of the mountains in Washington State? I am 20 minutes north of Seattle. We use a lot of Marshmallow and i was hoping to grow it in my garden. Thank you!
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Admin Richo Cech –
Hello Laura,
Yes, this is one of the most adaptable and easily grown of herbs. I just found one volunteering along my driveway this morning, a nice rosette, and I have really no idea how it got there, the marshmallow field is at some distance!
Richo
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