Althaea officinalis
Marsh mallow, White mallow
- Height × spread
- 1.2m × 1.2m
- Position
- Full sun
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Flowers
- Summer, Autumn
Availability
Please ask in store about availability
Many plants are seasonal. Call 01234 567890 to check current stock.
About this plant
This vigorous plant has a gentle character and is best used as part of the harmonious whole within the garden. It stands upright, its hairy stems holding the hairy foliage. It blooms all summer but the flowers are somewhat inconspicuous. They are lilac or creamy-pink fan shaped cups with darker centres. The common name, marsh mallow, reflects its traditional use as a cure for coughs. The 'mucilage' from the roots was used to make 'marsh mallows'. Give this a sunny spot in any reasonable soil and water during drought. Lovely in the wild garden, this reaches around 1.2m (4ft) height and spread.
- Flower colour
- Lilac, Pink, Purple
- Foliage colour
- Green
- Variegated
- No
- Scent
- No
- Shape
- Column
- Height
- 1.2m
- Spread
- 1.2m
- Season of interest
- Summer, Autumn
- Flowers in
- Summer, Autumn
- Evergreen
- Deciduous
- Garden style
- Small scale garden, Seaside garden
- Sun or shade
- Likes full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Gravelly soil, Loam (normal), Sandy soil
- Soil pH
- All types
- Drainage
- Moisture retentive soil, Well drained soil
- Hardiness
- Cold to -15C (RHS H5)
- Borders & containers
- Borders
- Use for
- Ground cover, Bee attraction, Sensory garden (tactile)
- Hazards
- No
Spring
Spring-Autumn · Outdoors
Water to keep the soil moist
For best results, this plant needs soil that is always moist. Water deeply and regularly as soon as soil appears dry. Even for established plants in the ground, a dry week can cause problems with some soils. Check plants in pots more often, especially in hot weather. Or install an automatic irrigation system which will do the hard work for you, even when you are away on holiday.
Without regular watering some plants never fully regain their beauty.
Summer
Summer - early · Outdoors
Apply slow release fertiliser
Apply a slow release fertiliser which is spread around the root area of the plants soon after they have come into growth. (Or apply a liquid feed at regular intervals throughout the growing season.)
This is a simple way to provide a nutrient boost as a single annual procedure.