• All Herbs
• Medicinal Herbs
• Scented Herbs
• Culinary Herbs
• Minimum Order: 3 and multiples of 3 of 9cm size. Single 1 litre pot items

Marsh Mallow - Althaea officinalis

Type: Perennial

Marsh-mallow or Althea officinalis is a tall plant resembling a hollyhock, with velvety grey leaves that are triangular and folded. The large pale pink flowers have a slight veining of darker purple and give way to furry fruits. This is a plant of coastal salt marshes and a useful one to encourage in damp coastal conditions. Some people consider it to be difficult to grow in the garden, but it is widely available from nurseries.

Growing 1-1.2m tall, this hardy perennial will need cutting back after flowering to maintain a neat shape.

The roots used to be boiled to a jelly to make the confectionery named after it, and in France dried marsh-mallow roots are still sold as a soother for teething babies to chew on. Infusions of leaves and flowers make a soothing gargle for sore throats.