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Marshmallow

Name: Marshmallow
Brand: Akène
SKU: AKE-SEMENCES
Price: 4.99 CAD
Availability: OutOfStock

Common name Marsh Mallow

Latin name Althaea officinalis

Quantity per packet Minimum 70 seeds

This traditional medicinal herb supports biodiversity while providing useful harvests for herbal teas and home remedies. Its long flowering season supplies pollinators with nectar throughout much of the summer.

Product information

Product
identification

Common nameMarsh Mallow

Latin nameAlthaea officinalis

FamilyMalvaceae

TypePerennial flower

CyclePerennial

Quantity per packMinimum 70 seeds

Product
description

Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis) is a tall, elegant perennial valued for centuries for both its ornamental beauty and traditional uses. Reaching 1.5 to 2 m (5 to 6.5 ft) tall with a spread of 45 to 75 cm (18 to 30 in), it creates a graceful, stately presence in borders, herb gardens, and naturalistic plantings. Its soft gray-green foliage beautifully complements an abundance of pale pink to white flowers that bloom from July through September. Hardy and well adapted to Canadian growing conditions, this perennial brings refined cottage-garden charm while offering a long season of visual and ecological interest.

Marsh Mallow thrives in full sun and rich, deep, well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. Seeds may be surface sown in spring or started indoors several weeks before transplanting. Temperatures between 18 and 22°C (64 to 72°F), along with consistent moisture, support germination, which usually occurs within 10 to 30 days. Once established, the plant develops a strong taproot that gives it good resilience, although it performs best when the soil remains cool through summer. An annual application of compost and organic mulch helps maintain vigorous growth and abundant flowering.

Perfect for medicinal gardens, riparian plantings, and pollinator-friendly landscapes, Marsh Mallow pairs beautifully with Wild Bergamot, Purple Coneflower, Blue Vervain, and Joe-Pye Weed. Its nectar-rich flowers continuously attract bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and many other beneficial insects. The flowers, leaves, and young shoots can be harvested for various traditional preparations, while the mucilage-rich roots are generally harvested from the third year onward. Combining ornamental value, historical interest, and strong support for biodiversity, Althaea officinalis is a remarkable addition to edible, medicinal, and ecological gardens.

Sowing
guide

Sowing periodSpring or start indoors 4 weeks before transplanting

Best time

Spring after the last frost

Sowing depthSurface sow

Spacing / density

45 to 75 cm (18 to 30 in)

Germination temperature18 to 22°C (64 to 72°F)

Germination time10 to 30 days

Propagation

Propagate by seed, division of mature clumps, or occasionally by root cuttings.

Growing
method

Surface sow Marsh Mallow seeds in spring or start them indoors about four weeks before transplanting. Maintain even moisture without waterlogging the growing medium and keep temperatures between 18 and 22°C (64 to 72°F) for uniform germination. This perennial grows best in rich, organically amended soil and full sun. Once established, its deep taproot improves drought tolerance, while organic mulch helps conserve soil moisture and suppress weeds. Flowering generally begins during the second growing season, and the plant returns reliably year after year throughout Canada.

Soil
and care

ExposureFull sun

Soil

Rich, deep, well-drained soil. Organic matter encourages vigorous growth and healthy root development.

Soil pH6.0 to 7.5

Watering

Water regularly to keep the soil cool and evenly moist, especially during hot weather. Consistent moisture improves both root quality and flowering.

Fertilization

Apply mature compost or a balanced organic fertilizer each spring to encourage vigorous growth. Avoid excessive nitrogen, which promotes foliage at the expense of flowers and roots.

Care levelModerate

In spring, apply compost and remove the previous year's dry stems. Throughout summer, maintain cool soil with regular watering and organic mulch. Deadhead spent flowers if a longer blooming season is desired. Leave a few stems standing in autumn for wildlife before cutting the plant back. A light winter mulch helps young plants establish successfully.

Container
growing

Recommended pot size

40 to 50 cm (16 to 20 in)

Marsh Mallow can be grown successfully in a deep container at least 40 cm (16 in) deep using a rich, well-drained growing medium. Container culture makes it easier to control soil moisture and harvest the roots without disturbing the garden. Place the pot in full sun and water regularly during hot weather to maintain vigorous growth and abundant flowering.

Bloom,
harvest
and garden

Its nectar-rich flowers and mucilage-rich roots make Marsh Mallow as beautiful as it is useful. It combines ornamental beauty, traditional herbal value, and ecological importance in a single planting.

Garden use

Marsh Mallow is perfectly suited to medicinal gardens, riparian plantings, and pollinator-friendly landscapes. Its tall stature creates an elegant backdrop in naturalistic borders, where it combines beautifully with Wild Bergamot, Purple Coneflower, Blue Vervain, and Joe-Pye Weed. Its nectar-rich flowers continuously support beneficial insects throughout summer.

Bloom period

Abundant pale pink to white flowers bloom from July through September and provide an excellent nectar source for pollinators.

Flower colorPale pink to white

Foliage colorGray-green

Harvest

Harvest flowers and leaves during summer; harvest roots from the third year onward in late autumn

Fruiting

Seed capsules containing numerous seeds

Wildlife appealBees, butterflies, and pollinators

Size
and facts

Height1.5 to 2 m (5 to 6.5 ft)

Spread45 to 75 cm (18 to 30 in)

Growth rateModerate

Hardiness zoneUSDA Zones 3–8

Minimum temperature-35°C (-31°F)

Foliage typeDeciduous

Colibristrue

Papillonstrue

Insectes utilestrue

Planting
partners

Good companions

Wild Bergamot, Purple Coneflower, Blue Vervain, Joe-Pye Weed

Avoid planting with

Lavender, Cotton Lavender, Rockrose, Sedum

Recipe
and inspiration

The flowers, leaves, and young shoots can be used in herbal teas, salads, and traditional culinary preparations. The mucilage-rich roots have long been valued for soothing herbal preparations and inspired the original marshmallow confection. Plant parts are typically dried for long-term storage. Today, Marsh Mallow is appreciated for both its traditional herbal uses and its ornamental beauty.

Frequently asked questions

When should I sow Marsh Mallow seeds? +

Marsh Mallow seeds can be sown outdoors in spring or started indoors several weeks before the last frost. Transplant seedlings once the soil has warmed.

When should I harvest Marsh Mallow roots? +

The roots are generally harvested beginning in the third year, once plants are well established. Autumn harvests provide the highest concentration of beneficial mucilage.

Does Marsh Mallow attract pollinators? +

Yes. Its nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies, hoverflies, and many other beneficial insects throughout the summer.

Can Marsh Mallow be grown in containers? +

Yes. Marsh Mallow grows well in deep containers that allow its taproot to develop properly. Container-grown plants require more frequent watering than those grown in the ground.

Is Marsh Mallow hardy in Canada? +

Yes. Marsh Mallow is fully hardy throughout most of Canada when grown in rich, well-drained soil.

The availability of our seeds varies depending on seasonal availability, production schedules and supplier inventory. Certain varieties may only be offered for a limited time based on their natural growth cycle, sowing period or available stock. These product pages are designed to help and inspire gardeners in choosing the right seeds for vegetable gardens, flower beds, pollinator gardens, container growing, naturalization projects and sustainable outdoor spaces.