Marsh Mallow

Marsh Mallow Althaea officinalis is a very attractive plant that has pink or white flowers in late summer and early autumn.  This hardy perennial is an important food plant for Painted Lady caterpillars.  In many parts of the world it is still used as a vegetable (steam the leaves and fry the flowers) and of course it is the origin of marshmallow confectionary.  Our seeds come with a recipe for you to make your own marshmallow sweets!

Perennial

Price for 25 seeds

SPRING & AUTUMN: sow in pots or trays no more than 5mm deep.  Cover the pots to keep moisture in and place on a windowsill or greenhouse.  Germination can be erratic.   When they have at least 2 true leaves pot on and keep moist while they establish a good root system. Autumn sowings need to be overwintered in a cold frame. Established clumps can be divided.

SUMMER: give them a liquid feed to keep them going until you plant out later in the summer

USES:

WILDLIFE

• Honey Bees and Bumble Bees
• Hoverflies: their larvae are voracious predators of aphids and other garden pests.
• Attracts moths including the Mallow Moth and the much rarer (red listed) Marsh Mallow Moth (restricted to some areas in the SE)
• Food plant for Painted Lady butterfly

EDIBLE:

• You can make traditional Marsh Mallow sweets.
• The flowers, root, and leaves of the marshmallow plant are edible 
• Scatter seeds into salads or a few flowers on salads or puddings
• The leaves can be eaten raw or cooked – they will thicken soups and stews due to their mucilaginous content.  Leaves and tops can be steamed and used as a veg.
• The root can also be eaten raw or cooked.  Apparently they make a palatable dish when boiled and then fried with onions that is often used in times of shortage in the Syrian area – which leads one to think that palatable in this case means edible when there is little else!
• The water left over from cooking any part of the plant can be boiled until it has a similar consistency to egg white & then be used as an egg-white substitute in making meringues etc. by.
• A tea can be made from the flowers or from the root.
• The seeds (or ‘cheeses’ as they are known) can be eaten raw or toasted as a snack.

HISTORICAL

• Considered a delicacy in Roman times
• First formally recorded in 1548
• The species name officinalis complements the genus, indicating its use in mediaeval pharmacopoeias, later it features in Culpeper’s Herbal of 1653
• Marsh Mallow has a long history and has been used for medicinal purposes for centuries.
• The dried and powdered root was used to bind the active ingredients when making pills for medicinal use
• Considered magical, the root was often used in love and fertility spells. 
• Marshmallow has also throughout history been used during departing rituals when someone has passed. It is thought that planting marshmallow near, or on the grave site, is an honour to those who have passed on.

OTHER

• The dried root can be used as a toothbrush
• A fibre from the stem and roots is used in paper-making and cordage.  
• A glue can be made from the root by boiling it in water until a thick syrup is left in the pan, this syrup is used as a glue.
• An oil from the seed is used in making paints and varnishes.
• The medicinal properties of marshmallow root come from the mucilage, or sap-like substance, that the plant produces.
• Relieving coughs: the mucilage may have a soothing effect on the oesophagus by coating it.
• Protection from acid reflux: the mucilage can coat the oesophagus giving some protection from the stomach’s damaging acids
• Soothing skin irritation: may help with eczema & sun damaged skin (do not use it in place of proper sun protection), combine cooled marshmallow tea or mucilage extract with coconut oil
• Marsh Mallow root tea is best from dried root: pour on boiling water, cover and steep for 5 to 10 minutes then strain & drink adding honey for sweetness..

• Caution: the mucilage may coat mouth, throat and into the stomach and may hinder the uptake of medicine taken orally - anybody wishing to use plants for medicinal effect are advised to consult their medical professional

• Please Note: we do not promote the medicinal use of plants – guidance and information should be sought elsewhere.

SUITS:

• Wildlife gardens
• Cottage style gardens
• Informal planting