Marsh mallow plants or Althaea officinalis grow wild in marshy areas in the mid-Atlantic. This hardy perennial features soft velvety leaves and pale pink flowers that appear midsummer to early autumn. The plant contains a thick mucilage long used as a folk remedy for constipation and coughs. You can grow a marsh mallow plant in regular gardens as well. (info source: ehow.com)
Genus - Althaea
Species - Officinalis
Common name - Marsh Mallow
Pre-Treatment - Required
Hardiness zones - 3 - 9
Height - 1.20-1.80 m
Spread - 0.45-0.60 m
Plant type - Perennial, Shrub
Vegetation type - Deciduous
Exposure - Sun to Partial Shade
Growth rate - Medium
Soil PH - 6.1-7.8 (mildly acidic to mildly alkaline)
Soil type - Heavy, Light, Medium, Rich
Water requirements - Moist
Landscape uses - For use in ponds or wet lands.
Germination rate - 70%
Bloom season - Mid Summer - Early Fall
Leaf / Flower color - Green / White
Useful Info | |
Germination | 1. Sow the seeds directly into the ground. 2. Keep the container in a sunny yet cool area. 3. Wait until after the last frost to transplant the seedlings outside. 4. Thin the plants to one foot apart the first year. The plants begins to get crowded as they grow. Separate during the second year to two feet apart as the plant nears its full height of 4 feet. |