Marshmallow

Althaea officinalis

Whoever thought marshmallows don’t grow on trees was right--they grow on shrubs!

Made you look! Technically more of a forb than an actual shrub, this hollyhock relative is a perennial medicinal herb, with 3" white flowers which are very attractive to bees. Roots, flowers, leaves, and seeds are all edible and used in soothing teas, and for the traditional preparation of marshmallow candies. Plants reach 4’ tall. Grows best in partial shade in damper areas of the garden.  

Seeds grown by Giving Ground Farm in Pocatello, Idaho.

100 seeds

Directions: Plant seeds in fall for best results. Marshmallow likes shade. If starting indoors, seeds can be stratified for 4-6 weeks in a refrigerator in a damp paper towel in a plastic bag prior to planting.  Scarify seeds with sand paper then start in a greenhouse 8 weeks before last frost.  Likes water-- do not under water!  Harvest leaves before flowering, or wait until fall to harvest dried seeds or dig roots.