Description
Marshmellow is a perennial species. The stems, which die down in the autumn, are erect.
Althaea officinalis is a perennial species indigenous to Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa, which is used as a medicinal plant and ornamental plant. The stems, which die down in the autumn, are erect. The leaves are simple (i., lobed or unlobed but not separated into leaflets).
The flowers are shaped like those of the common mallow, but are smaller and of a pale color, and are either axillary or in panicles, more often the latter.Plant Specifications
| Common Name | Malvales, marshmallow |
| Maximum Reachable Height | 3 to 4 feet |
| Flower Colour | Pale pink or purple |
| Bloom Time | Aug to October |
| Difficulty Level | Easy to grow |
Planting and care
Marshmellow care
In moist soil under full sun, marsh mallow is a hardy plant that grows easily from seeds, cuttings, or root divisions. Seeds should be planted in spring (germination in 2-3 weeks), root divisions in autumn. Thin them to 1-2 foot spacing.
| Sunlight | Full Sun to Partial Shade |
| Watering | Medium |
| Soil | Well-drained soil, Ideally the soil will be of a pH ranging from 6 to 7.5. |
| Temperature | 60 to 65 degrees F |
| Fertilizer | Apply any organic fertilizer |
Marshmellow special feature
They can be grown in either full sunlight or in partially shaded conditions and bloom with pale pink or white flowers from the middle of summer and through the start of autumn.
Marshmellow uses
Ornamental Use:
- The plant is used for an ornamental purpose
Medicinal Use:
- Marshmallow leaf and root are used for pain and swelling (inflammation) of the mucous membranes that line the respiratory tract
- They are also used for dry cough, inflammation of the lining of the stomach, diarrhea, stomach ulcers, constipation, urinary tract inflammation, and stones in the urinary tract