General Plant Information (Edit)
Plant Habit: Herb/Forb
Life cycle: Perennial
Sun Requirements: Full Sun
Full Sun to Partial Shade
Water Preferences: Mesic
Dry Mesic
Dry
Soil pH Preferences: Slightly acid (6.1 – 6.5)
Neutral (6.6 – 7.3)
Slightly alkaline (7.4 – 7.8)
Minimum cold hardiness: Zone 3 -40 °C (-40 °F) to -37.2 °C (-35)
Maximum recommended zone: Zone 9b
Plant Height: 4-6 feet
Leaves: Other: Palmately lobed leaves w/soft velvety texture
Fruit: Other: Cluster of compact capsules, each containing a single seed
Fruiting Time: Late summer or early fall
Flowers: Showy
Flower Color: Pink
White
Bloom Size: 2"-3"
Flower Time: Summer
Late summer or early fall
Underground structures: Taproot
Uses: Culinary Herb
Medicinal Herb
Wildlife Attractant: Bees
Butterflies
Resistances: Salt tolerant
Propagation: Seeds: Self fertile
Stratify seeds: Place in refrigerator 4 to 6 weeks or plant seeds outdoors mid-winter
Suitable for wintersowing
Sow in situ
Pollinators: Self
Bees

Victory Seed Company sells seeds of Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis).

Image
Common names
  • Marsh Mallow
  • Marshmallow
Botanical names
  • Accepted: Althaea officinalis
  • Synonym: Althaea taurinensis
  • Synonym: Althaea villosa

Photo Gallery

Courtesy Outsidepride
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Inkster,  MI
Date: 7-2000
My Yard
Location: Riverview, Robson, B.C.
Date: 2008-07-28
 10:44 am. A very gentle, unassuming blossom, and an undemanding

Courtesy Outsidepride
  • Uploaded by Joy

Photo: Alberto Salguero / Wikimedia Commons
Location: Lucketts, Loudoun County, Virginia
Date: 2013-07-09
Location: Northeastern, Texas
Date: 2012-07-13
Location: Riverview, Robson, B.C.
Date: 2009-07-28 
 9:56 am. A very faithful, dependable wild plant, introduced by a
Location: indoors Toronto, Ontario
Date: 2019-12-28
Marsh Mallow (Althaea officinalis) is cold hardy perennial/wild f

Photo Courtesy of Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds. Used with permissio
  • Uploaded by Joy
Location: Cedarhome, Washington
Date: 2014-07-22
Location: Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Date: September
credit: Magnus Manske
Location: Cambridge University Botanic Garden
Date: September
credit: Magnus Manske

By Victor M. Vicente Selvas (Own work) [CC0], via Wikimedia Commo
Location: Northeastern, Texas
Date: 2010-02-14
Comments:
  • Posted by SongofJoy (Clarksville, TN - Zone 6b) on Aug 27, 2013 4:14 AM concerning plant:
    The seed is best sown as soon as it is harvested in late summer. Stratification will improve germination time and rates. Fairly easy to grow.
Plant Events from our members
dorothythomas98 On June 26, 2014 Obtained plant
Lisa's Greenhouse (Lisa Bender)
antsinmypants On May 1, 2021 Plant emerged
antsinmypants On April 23, 2021 Seeds sown
In unheated greenhouse. Plug flat one row 13.
Retro67 On February 1, 2024 Seeds sown
Seed sown along South facing garage. Disturbed the soil with hula hoe. seeded and covered with snow.
Retro67 On August 16, 2023 Obtained plant
Got seeds from seed packing party @ Land o Hand event
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