Marshmallow: Plant, care for & use

The marshmallow is a fascinating plant that not only looks beautiful, but also has healing properties. You can find out how to use and plant the medicinal marshmallow here.

The Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) not only embellishes the garden with its flowers, but also serves as a bee pasture. As if that were not enough, the mallow plant is also an edible medicinal plant. We will show you how to care for the marshmallow in the garden and how to use the parts of the plant.

Marshmallow: flowering time, origin and properties

The Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) belongs to the mallow family (Malvaceae) and is widespread throughout Central Europe. Its numerous names such as white mallow, swamp mallow, velvet poplar, medicinal root, althee and medicinal marshmallow reveal a lot about the beautiful medicinal plant. The upright perennial can reach a height of 150 cm and has showy white or pink flowers that insects also enjoy. The flowering period extends from July to September.

Althaea officinalis grows naturally in damp or saline locations. Since the habitat of the marshmallow is increasingly being lost, the plant is now considered endangered and may therefore not be collected in nature.

The anti-inflammatory mucilage, which is mainly found in the roots but also in the leaves, help against coughs, respiratory problems or sore throats. The roots of Althaea officinalis also have a sweet taste and were formerly used to make marshmallows by mixing the roots with beaten egg whites and sugar. The name of the popular candy also goes back to the swamp mallow (English: marsh mallow) back. In addition to the roots, other plant parts such as flowers and leaves are also edible and can be used in cooking.

Sowing, location and Co. for the marshmallow

In the garden, the marshmallow not only looks good - since all parts of the plant are edible and the flowers also attract insects, it is an extremely useful garden plant.

Sowing of the marshmallow

The white mallow is one of the cold germs. That means it needs cold temperatures to germinate. If the marshmallow is to be spread by sowing, it is best sown directly outdoors between January and March when the temperatures are still low. Sowing in a pot outside is also possible without any problems. As soon as it gets warmer in the long term, the seed will germinate.

Marshmallow: location

The marshmallow likes it moist and nutrient-rich best, which is why bank locations are particularly suitable. In order to reach an impressive growth height, a warm and sunny place, preferably sheltered from the wind, is also sufficient. The location should also be deep, as the white mallow develops a long taproot. Althaea officinalis is a solitary perennial and grows in clumps, which is why a planting distance of 90 cm should be maintained.

Tip: If you would like to buy and plant an early velvet poplar, spring is the best time for this, when no more frosts are to be expected from May onwards.

The right substrate

Above all, the soil should be rich in nutrients, moist and permeable and not allow waterlogging. A humus-rich substrate can also promote growth. However, the white mallow also thrives on saline soil and does not make particularly high demands on the soil overall.

The real marshmallow can also be kept in a pot. This requires a voluminous planter with a capacity of at least 20 liters. A drainage layer of pebbles or potsherds makes sense on the ground so that there is no waterlogging. High-quality potting soil, such as ours, is suitable as a substrate Plantura organic universal soil, which provides all the important nutrients and promotes healthy soil life. Our earth is peat-free and therefore particularly sustainable and environmentally friendly. If you add a little expanded clay to the substrate, the structural stability and thus the durability of the soil can be increased.

Marshmallow: care

The marshmallow is a fairly frugal garden plant and does not require much care. An adequate water supply and occasional fertilization as well as two prunings a year are sufficient for the white mallow.

Althaea officinalis likes it fresh to moist, so it needs water regularly. It is important that no water builds up. In dry periods, it is best to water in the morning or evening, but not in the midday heat.

As long as the marshmallow grows in nutrient-rich soil, it does not need additional fertilization. However, if the leaves turn yellow or fall off, an additional nitrogen supply is necessary. For example, our is suitable for this Plantura organic universal fertilizer, which provides the plant with long-term nitrogen, but also phosphorus, potassium and trace elements, thus promoting healthy growth of roots, leaves and flowers. Biological fertilizer is advisable, especially for plants that are also to be used for consumption. Alternatively, a small annual dose of compost proves to be a good fertilizer for the white mallow.

The perennial, hardy perennial should be cut back slightly in autumn. Here, the shoots are shortened by about a third. There is caution, because needed for wintering Althaea officinalis their intact stems. In the spring, the parts of the plant damaged by the frost can be removed. The growth form can be influenced: If you shorten the side shoots, you get a tall, upright growth. To achieve bushy growth, cut off the upper shoots.

Tip: The marshmallow can easily be propagated by division or sowing.

Althaea officinalis: Effect and use as a medicinal plant

The marshmallow is primarily known as a medicinal plant. Roots, leaves and flowers are edible. In the case of throat problems, the mucilage, which is mainly found in the roots and leaves, is used and usually made into a tea. They put a kind of protective layer on the attacked mucous membranes and can thus relieve pain and inhibit inflammation. Marshmallow tea is prepared as follows: the roots and leaves, fresh or dried, are cut into small pieces and soaked in cold water. Then let it sit for an hour or two. The water can then be poured off through a sieve and heated. In order not to impair the healing effect, the water should not boil under any circumstances. If you do not use the roots immediately after harvest, they must be dried carefully to avoid mold growth. Since the marshmallow is under nature protection, no wild-growing plants may be harvested.

Tip: In addition to roots and leaves, the flowers of the white mallow are also edible and can be mixed into a salad, for example.

Also the speedwell is considered a medicinal plant and can be used in the kitchen. With us you will learn everything you need to know about planting in the garden.