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Althaea officinalis (Marsh mallow)

Other names: Romney marsh, Bismalva, Guimauve, Joseph's staff, Mauve, Mortification root, White mallow, Wymot, Wymote, Althaea kragujevacensis, Althaea taurinensis

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Species
A. officinalis is an erect, deciduous perennial with lobed, toothed, softly hairy, grey-green leaves and clusters of pale lilac-pink flowers from midsummer into autumn.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
2.5 m 0.5 m 1-2 years
8 ft 1 ft 1-2 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Boggy damp conditions
  • Moisture-retentive
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Plant in damp, moist soil in full sun. Staking is advised,particularly in windy locations.

Suggested uses

Coastal, Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Wildlife, Waterside, Bog garden

UK hardiness

H6

USDA zones

Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7, Zone 8, Zone 9

Sunset zone

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Unknown
Central Valley = Unknown
South Coastal = Unknown
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Erect

Native to

Europe

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

Yes

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Cut back to the base after flowering.

Propagation methods

Seed

Pests

Capsid bug

Flea beetles

Slugs

Caterpillars

Diseases

Susceptible to a rust.

Cut plants to ground level (optional)

Sow spores or seeds as soon as ripe on moist compost

Break off spent flowers of iris, daylilies, gladiola and hollyhock (optional)

Plant container grown plants in a sunny postion

Plant in moist but well-drained soil (spring)

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (3)

Althaea

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Althaea officinalis alba
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Althaea officinalis alba White marsh mallow
Althaea officinalis
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Althaea officinalis Marsh mallow
Althaea cannabina
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Althaea cannabina Palm-leaf marsh mallow
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Companion plants (0)

Related content

Discuss Althaea officinalis with other Shoot members

Althaea officinalis

Shoot User
919 0
Marsh-mallow is a tall plant resembling a hollyhock. Some people consider it to be difficult to grow in the garden, but it is widely available from nurseries. The slimy roots used to be boiled to a jelly to make the confectionery named after it; in France dried marsh-mallow roots are still sold as a soother for teething babies to chew on.The name Althaea is derived from the Greek altho, meaning to cure - from its healing properties; whilst the plant family name Malvaceae comes from the Greek malake meaning soft, from the particular qualities of the mallow family in softening and healing.
Posted: Sunday 7th of June 2009 09:21 AM Last reply: Saturday 1st of March 2025 11:53 AM
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