Plants ordered today will begin shipping mid-March 2024
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
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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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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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Question
Robert Campbell –
I live in the San Diego area, zone 10a. Is there any possibility of successfully growing this in a location that receives 4 – 6 hours of morning sun, followed by afternoon filtered shade. I primary concern is its heat tolerance, we have been experiencing more extreme heat (90°s) days these last few summers.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Robert,
Mallows have fuzzy leaves and contain lots of heat-protective mucilage–they are one of the better plants to work with in hot and dry areas–I wouldn’t hesitate. 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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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
alaaldein Elshgeirat –
Is this marshmallow root ?
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Admin Richo Cech –
yes
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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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Judy –
I have grown Marshmallow from seed a few times (in N.E. Texas) and hoped it would self-sow but it never did. One location I tried was morning sun only and the other was afternoon sun. Any advice to get it to self-sow or would I always need to consider it an annual? Thanks!
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Richo Cech –
Hi Judy, Marshmallow works best when sown by people because we have a chance to scarify the seed. It doesn’t tend to self-seed like other mallows. It should be perennial unless dug up. richo
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Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis)
Vicki Fisher –
This is a great plant! The picture shows my plant just small (about two feet high right now). Expect everything the first year! We have used it for tea (and it does a sore throat good!), my tortoises eat the leaves and the blossoms and it is a pretty plant (like all mallows IMO). and Hardy!
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