Marshmallow - Organic

bare-root plants

Althaea officinalis

5-8' tall.

Small delicate 1" lavender-white flowers with darker lavender stamens bloom along the stalks of this beautiful towering medicinal plant. We’ve been drawn to marshmallow ever since we saw herbalist Deb Soule rub its soft velvet leaf against her cheek and explain how much the ruby-throated hummingbird appreciates the nectar of marshmallow flowers.

The leaf, flower and mucilaginous roots are traditionally used to soothe the mucous membrane linings of the lungs and digestive tract, and to calm the lining of the urinary tract. Leaf is best used fresh for tea, and the dried roots are best when soaked overnight in cool water for tea. Harvest 4-year-old roots for medicinal use.

Wonderful in a hedgerow and magnificent planted with black cohosh as they often blossom together in late July and into August. Readily self-sows.

Plant 1-2' apart in light moist soil, part sun, part shade. Native to Europe and Asia. Z4. Maine Grown. (bare-root crowns)

ships in spring

This item is certified organic

7759 Marshmallow - Organic

Shipping

Items from our perennial plants warehouse ordered on or before February 20 will ship from March through early May, starting with warmer areas and finishing in colder areas.

Orders placed after February 20 will ship from late April through early-to-mid May.

Additional Information

Herbaceous Perennial Plants

When you receive your order, open the bags and check the stock immediately. Roots and crowns should be firm and pliable. Surface mold is harmless and will not affect the plant’s future performance. Store plants in their packaging in a cool (35–40°) location until you are ready to plant. If it’s going to be awhile, you can pot up your perennials.

Do not plant bare-root perennial plant crowns directly outdoors before danger of frost has passed. Wet and/or cold conditions for an extended period may cause rotting.

For more info:
About planting bare-root perennials

Medicinal and Culinary Herbs

These plants have long histories of traditional culinary and medicinal uses. It’s up to you to educate yourself about the safety and efficacy of using plants for medicinal purposes. The statements in our catalog and website regarding traditional medicinal uses of plants have not been evaluated by the FDA. The plants we sell are not intended to diagnose, treat, cure, or prevent any disease.

Plants may take a year or more to establish before they flower; roots often take several years to reach harvestable maturity.

Herbs

See Herb Chart for uses and cultural information.

About medicinal herbs: Archeological evidence dates the medicinal use of herbs back 60,000 years to the Neanderthals. 85% of the world’s population employ herbs as medicines, and 40% of pharmaceuticals in the U.S. contain plant-derived materials. Fewer than 10% of higher plant species have been investigated for their medicinal components. Interest in traditional herbal remedies continues to grow.

Statements about medicinal use of plants have not been evaluated by the FDA, and should not be used for the diagnosis, treatment, cure or prevention of any ailment. Before using or ingesting any medicinal plant, consult a healthcare practitioner familiar with botanical medicine.

Takinagawa Burdock and Resina Calendula, as well as oats, mammoth red clover and alfalfa in the Farm Seed section, also have medicinal uses. Medicinal herbs such as black cohosh, licorice, and many more are available as plants, and shipped in the spring with orders from our perennial plants warehouse.

Culture: Some herbs are customarily grown from divisions because they cannot come true from seed, such as scented thymes and flavored mints. Some require fall sowing of fresh seed, such as sweet cicely and angelica.

Using herbs: Drying herbs at home is not difficult. Whole leaves retain their flavor at least a year. To substitute fresh herbs for dried in cooking, use triple the dried quantity called for in a recipe.