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Growing marshmallow plants (Althaea officinalis) at home is one of those small homestead delights that always lands well with kids. Tell a child that marshmallows used to grow in the garden, and they’ll suddenly be much more interested in helping with the weeding.
The truth is, the herb is where marshmallows got their name in the first place, and the roots of this beautiful old-fashioned perennial are still used in herbal medicine for soothing sore throats, dry coughs, and digestive trouble.
Table of Contents
- Notes from My Homestead
- Can You Grow Marshmallow Plants at Home?
- Marshmallow Plant Hardiness Zones and Growing Conditions
- Cold Stratifying Marshmallow Seeds
- How to Grow Marshmallow from Seed Indoors
- Direct Seeding Marshmallow in the Garden
- Growing Marshmallow from Root Divisions
- Marshmallow Plant Care
- When and How to Harvest Marshmallow Root
- Harvesting Marshmallow Leaves and Flowers
- How to Use Marshmallow Root
- Traditional Medicinal Uses of Marshmallow
- Safety and Cautions for Marshmallow
- Marshmallow FAQs
- Medicinal Herb Growing Guides
- How to Grow Marshmallow Plants from Seed Recipe
- Make Your Own Herbal Medicine
The original confection that gave the candy its name was a soft, throat-soothing lozenge made from the mucilage in marshmallow root, sweetened with honey or sugar. Modern marshmallows have replaced that mucilage with gelatin and any whisper of medicine with pure corn syrup, which is a shame. Real herbal marshmallows were both delicious and genuinely useful for respiratory complaints, which is exactly the kind of one-two punch that homestead pantries are built around.
The good news for cold-climate gardeners is that marshmallow is one of the easiest perennial herbs you can add to a garden. The plant is hardy down to zone 3, self-sows readily, tolerates neglect, and grows into stunning 4 to 6 foot flower spikes that bloom from midsummer into early fall. The bees adore the pale pink flowers (just like young children, they have a particular fondness for marshmallows, the flower not the candy), and the roots can be harvested for medicine starting in the second or third year. If you’ve been thinking about starting a medicinal herb garden, marshmallow is one of the friendliest plants to begin with.
Notes from My Homestead
I started my first batch of marshmallow seeds in a flurry of nesting activity right before my daughter was born, alongside a dozen other herbs I’d been meaning to grow. Then she arrived, and like everything else in my garden that spring, the seedlings got mostly forgotten. Of all the herbs I’d started, only two survived my benign neglect through the seedling stage: marshmallow and valerian, both of which apparently took my distraction as a personal challenge and thrived anyway.
When the seedlings were finally planted out (still without much fanfare, into a weedy perennial bed with no mulch), they kept right on going. Several years later, that one casual planting has become a self-sustaining patch of marshmallow that needs absolutely nothing from me. The plants come back bigger every year, send up their elegant flower spikes for the bees, and have started producing roots large enough to harvest for our winter wellness cabinet. If marshmallow can survive the kind of distracted gardening that I was doing with a newborn in the house, it can survive nearly anything.
Oh my goodness, pinch me, I must be dreaming. I have the perfect place to start me a Marshmallow Plant Garden, near the lake in our backyard. Close enough (that is) so I won’t fall in while relaxing with one of my gardening books. I adore your column so much and now I have one more flower to eat. Blessings.
Can You Grow Marshmallow Plants at Home?
Yes, marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) grows easily in most temperate climates and is a surprisingly low-maintenance addition to a backyard garden. The plant is a hardy perennial in USDA zones 3 through 9, which covers nearly all of the continental United States, most of Canada, and large parts of Europe and the United Kingdom. In zone 10 and warmer climates without a real winter, marshmallow can be grown as an annual or with a chilled rest period in the refrigerator to mimic dormancy.
The plant earned its common name because it’s a marsh-loving plant, and consistently moist soil is the single most important growing condition. Marshmallow is at its happiest in damp ground along streambanks, in low spots that hold water, or in any garden bed that gets watered regularly. It will tolerate average garden conditions in cooler climates with reliable rainfall, but in dry or hot climates, you’ll need to water consistently to keep the plants happy.
Marshmallow is also a wild plant that grows freely in many parts of North America and Europe, often in roadside ditches, brackish wetlands, and the edges of streams. If you’re more interested in wild-harvesting than cultivation, my guide to foraging marshmallow covers identification and wild harvest of the various Althaea species you might encounter, including the common marshmallow, Russian marshmallow, and palm-leaved marshmallow.
Marshmallow Plant Hardiness Zones and Growing Conditions
Marshmallow is exceptionally cold hardy for a productive medicinal herb. The plants survive winters down to USDA zone 3 (where temperatures regularly drop below -30°F) and thrive across the temperate zone all the way through zone 9. Once established, the perennial roots tolerate hard freezes, deep snow, and the kind of late-spring thaw-freeze cycles that kill more delicate plants.
The plant prefers full sun, where it produces the tallest flower spikes and the largest roots, but it tolerates partial shade and will still flower (if a bit more sparsely) in a half-day of sun. Soil should be rich, slightly heavy, and consistently moist, with neutral to slightly alkaline pH. Marshmallow does poorly in sandy soils that drain too fast and in pure clay that holds standing water, but anything between those extremes will do well.
In warmer climates (zone 8 and warmer), marshmallow may benefit from afternoon shade during the hottest part of summer, since extended high heat can stress the plants. In cooler climates (zone 5 and colder), full sun all day produces the best growth, and a thick winter mulch helps protect first-year crowns through the coldest months.
Cold Stratifying Marshmallow Seeds
Cold stratification is the single most important step in growing marshmallow from seed, and it’s the step where most people accidentally fail. The seeds need a period of cool, moist conditions before they’ll germinate, which mimics the natural overwintering process and signals to the seed that spring has arrived. Seeds that haven’t been cold-stratified will sit in warm soil for weeks without sprouting and eventually rot.
The technique is simple. Lay the seeds in a single layer on a folded, dampened paper towel (or in a small container of damp sand or peat moss), seal in a plastic bag with the bag cracked open about an inch for ventilation, and refrigerate for 3 to 4 weeks. Check the bag every week or so to make sure the towel stays barely moist (not wet) and to look for any signs of mold or early sprouting. If you find any sprouts during the chilling period, plant those seeds immediately. My complete guide to cold stratifying seeds covers the same general technique for other temperate-climate herbs and tree seeds that share the cold-dormancy trait.
The honest shortcut version is to drop the unopened seed packet straight into the back of the refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks before you plan to start them. I’ve done it both ways (paper towel and seed packet straight into the fridge) and never noticed a meaningful difference in germination rates. The seeds are forgiving as long as they get the cold period one way or another.
How to Grow Marshmallow from Seed Indoors
Once your seeds have been cold-stratified for 3 to 4 weeks, planting them is straightforward. Fill a seed-starting tray with moist, sterile seed-starting mix and press the seeds gently onto the surface, covering with just a thin layer of soil since marshmallow seeds need light to germinate well. Water gently with a spray bottle so you don’t dislodge the seeds, and place the tray in a warm spot (around 68 to 72°F) with bright indirect light.
Germination typically takes 1 to 3 weeks for properly stratified seeds, and emergence is often uneven, with some seedlings appearing within a few days and others lagging by a week or two. Keep the soil consistently moist (not waterlogged) and provide bright light from a sunny window or DIY grow lights as soon as the first seedlings emerge to prevent legginess.
Start marshmallow seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost date for the longest possible season ahead of the seedlings. My guide to when to start seeds indoors covers timing for various plants, and the beginner’s guide to seed starting walks through the basics if you’re new to indoor seed starting. Damping off can be an issue with marshmallow seedlings in overly humid conditions, so good airflow once seedlings are up is important. The common seed starting mistakes post covers the issues that take down most seedlings before they make it to the garden.
Once the seedlings have several true leaves and outdoor temperatures are reliably above 50°F at night, harden them off gradually over a week and transplant into the garden. Space the plants about 18 inches to 2 feet apart in a sunny spot with rich, moisture-retentive soil, and water in well after planting. Mulch the planting area with 2 to 3 inches of compost or shredded leaves to hold moisture and suppress weeds during the establishment year.
Direct Seeding Marshmallow in the Garden
Direct seeding is the lowest-effort way to grow marshmallow, and it works beautifully in any climate with a real winter. The seeds get their cold stratification right in the garden soil, with no refrigerator step required, which makes this the right approach for anyone who’d rather skip the indoor seed starting entirely.
In areas with mild winters (zone 7 and warmer), sow marshmallow seeds in late fall after temperatures have cooled but before the ground freezes. The seeds will sit dormant through the winter, receive their natural cold stratification, and germinate in spring as the soil warms. In areas with long cold winters (zone 6 and colder), you can either fall-sow as above or wait and direct seed in very early spring as soon as the soil can be worked. Here in Vermont, our spring soil stays cool and moist for at least six weeks before the frost-free season really starts in early June, which is plenty of time for the seeds to cold stratify in place.
Prepare the bed by working in compost and removing weeds, then scatter the seeds and rake them in lightly so they’re barely covered. Keep the area moist (not waterlogged) until germination, which may take several weeks of cool weather followed by warmer temperatures.
Growing Marshmallow from Root Divisions
If you have access to an established marshmallow plant, dividing the root mass is the fastest way to add new plants to your garden. Mature plants develop substantial spreading root systems that can be split into multiple new plants once they’re a few years old.
Divide marshmallow when the plant is dormant, ideally in late fall after the top growth has died back, or in very early spring before new shoots emerge. Use a sharp spade to slice straight down through the root mass, separating off a healthy chunk of root with several growth points. Lift the divided section, replant immediately at the same depth in a new spot with good moisture, and backfill the original hole with rich soil so the parent plant continues without much disturbance. Water the new division well after planting and keep the soil consistently moist for the first few weeks while it establishes.
Marshmallow Plant Care
Once established, marshmallow is one of the most low-maintenance plants in our medicinal garden. The most important care factor is consistent moisture, especially during the first growing season while the plants are establishing their root systems.
- Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Marshmallow is drought-sensitive and will wilt or fail to thrive in dry conditions, especially during flowering. In dry climates, water deeply once or twice per week during the growing season.
- Sun: Full sun is ideal for the largest plants and best flowering. Partial shade is tolerated and may be beneficial in hot southern climates.
- Soil: Rich, moisture-retentive soil with neutral to slightly alkaline pH works best. Marshmallow tolerates heavy loam but struggles in pure clay or sandy soil.
- Mulch: A thick mulch of compost or shredded leaves helps retain moisture and suppress weeds during the establishment year.
- Fertilizer: Generally unnecessary in moderately fertile soil. A spring topdressing of compost is plenty.
- Spacing: 18 inches to 2 feet between plants for adequate airflow and root development. The plants get tall (4 to 6 feet) but stay relatively narrow.
- Pests: Rare. Marshmallow is occasionally bothered by aphids and the occasional caterpillar, but rarely seriously enough to need intervention.
Mature marshmallow plants self-sow readily, which means once you have a few established plants, you’ll often find new seedlings popping up in nearby damp spots. This is generally welcome since marshmallow is so useful and the seedlings are easy to dig and transplant if they appear somewhere inconvenient.
When and How to Harvest Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow roots are ready to harvest in the second or third fall after planting, after the plants have built up substantial root systems but before the ground freezes solid. Harvesting in fall, after the top growth has died back, captures the roots when they’re at their most concentrated in mucilage and active medicinal compounds, since the plant has pulled its resources down into the roots for winter dormancy.
To harvest, choose an established plant that’s at least two years old and water the area thoroughly the day before to soften the soil. Use a sharp spade to dig a wide circle around the plant, then lift the entire root mass out of the ground. The plant has a substantial taproot that goes down 12 inches or more, plus a network of lateral roots, so dig wider than you think you need to.
Once you’ve lifted the root mass, you have two choices. The traditional approach is to take the entire plant for harvest, which gives you the largest possible yield in a single year but kills that plant. The sustainable approach is to harvest only a portion of the roots and replant the crown with the remaining roots intact, which lets the plant recover and produce another harvest in a few more years. I usually take about a third to half of any given plant’s roots and replant the crown, which keeps a productive patch going indefinitely.
Wash the harvested roots thoroughly under running water, scrubbing between your fingers to remove all soil from the crevices. Trim away the woody portions and any obviously damaged sections, then chop the cleaned roots into thin slices or short pieces. Dry the chopped pieces in a dehydrator at 95 to 105°F for 12 to 24 hours until they snap cleanly when bent, or air-dry on screens in a warm, well-ventilated room. Store the dried roots whole or ground in a sealed glass jar away from light, where they’ll keep their potency for at least a year.
Harvesting Marshmallow Leaves and Flowers
While the roots are the most concentrated part of the plant medicinally, the leaves and flowers are also useful and can be harvested without disturbing the perennial roots. Leaves are mildest and most tender in spring before the plants flower, and they can be picked individually as needed throughout the season for fresh use in salads or for drying as a milder herbal tea.
Flowers are at their best in mid to late summer when fully open. Pick whole open flowers in the morning after the dew has dried, dropping them into a basket as you work the flower spike. Use the flowers fresh as an edible garnish on salads or drinks, dry them on screens for tea, or infuse them into honey alongside other medicinal flowers like calendula and chamomile. The mucilage in the flowers gives any preparation a slightly silky texture, which is part of what makes marshmallow so soothing for sore throats and irritated tissues.
How to Use Marshmallow Root
Marshmallow root is one of the gentlest medicinal herbs in the apothecary, and the most common preparations are easy to make at home from a homegrown harvest.
Cold infusion is the traditional preparation for marshmallow root, since heat damages the soothing mucilage that makes the herb effective. Place 1 tablespoon of dried chopped root in a pint jar, cover with cold water, seal, and let steep at room temperature for 4 to 8 hours or overnight. Strain through a fine mesh sieve and drink the silky, slightly sweet liquid for soothing sore throats, dry coughs, or digestive irritation.
Tea (warm infusion) works too, though some of the soothing properties are reduced by hot water. Steep 1 to 2 teaspoons of chopped dried root in a cup of hot (not boiling) water for 15 to 30 minutes, then strain. The result is a milder version of the cold infusion that’s easier to make on demand when you need it.
Marshmallow tincture is convenient for daily medicinal use, since a few dropperfuls work the same as a full cup of cold infusion. Fill a clean jar with chopped fresh or dried root, cover completely with high-proof vodka, seal, and let infuse for 6 weeks before straining. My complete guide to making herbal tinctures walks through the technique, and our collection of herbal tincture recipes covers more than 20 medicinal tinctures using the same general method.
Poultice uses involve applying a thick paste of soaked marshmallow root directly to the skin for soothing inflammation, dryness, burns, insect bites, and minor wounds. Mix powdered or finely chopped root with just enough warm water to make a thick paste, apply to clean skin, cover with a clean cloth, and leave for 20 to 30 minutes before rinsing.
Homemade herbal marshmallows are the obvious culinary project for anyone growing the herb. The mucilage in marshmallow root can be used to set a confection in roughly the same way that gelatin works in modern marshmallows, though the result has a different texture and a delicate herbal flavor. I’ve been working on a version using a strong marshmallow root infusion in place of the gelatin water in my dandelion honey marshmallows recipe, and the technique is detailed in Edible Wild Plants: Wild Foods from Dirt to Plate.
Traditional Medicinal Uses of Marshmallow
Marshmallow has been used in Western herbalism for at least two thousand years, with documented use going back to ancient Egyptian, Greek, and Roman physicians. The mucilage in the root and leaves is the active component, coating and soothing irritated mucous membranes throughout the body.
According to WebMD’s review of marshmallow uses, the herb is traditionally used for:
- Cough, especially dry coughs
- Mouth and throat irritation
- Skin inflammation, dryness, burns, insect bites, and wounds (typically as a poultice)
- Digestive issues such as ulcers, constipation, and diarrhea
- Soothing irritated tissues throughout the urinary tract
In our house, marshmallow tea or cold infusion is the first thing I reach for when one of the kids has a tummy ache or a dry cough. The silky texture is comforting on its own, and the herb works gently enough to be appropriate for everyday use without much concern about overuse.
Safety and Cautions for Marshmallow
Marshmallow is generally considered one of the safest herbs in the apothecary, with no significant toxicity concerns at typical herbalist-recommended doses. There are a few interactions and cautions worth knowing.
- Medication absorption: The mucilage in marshmallow can slow the absorption of medications taken at the same time, since it coats the digestive tract. Take marshmallow preparations at least 1 to 2 hours separately from any prescription or over-the-counter medications.
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding: Marshmallow has a long history of safe traditional use, but there is limited modern research on its safety during pregnancy and breastfeeding. As with any herbal medicine in those situations, work with a qualified healthcare provider before use.
- Diabetes: Marshmallow may slightly lower blood sugar in some people. People taking blood sugar medications should monitor closely if they add marshmallow to their routine.
- Surgery: Some sources recommend stopping marshmallow at least two weeks before scheduled surgery due to its potential effect on blood sugar and absorption.
- Allergies: Rare, but possible. Anyone with known allergies to plants in the Malvaceae family (which includes hibiscus, hollyhock, and okra) should approach marshmallow with caution.
As with any herbal medicine, the information on this page is not a substitute for medical care. People with specific health concerns should work with a qualified herbalist or healthcare provider rather than self-treating with information found online.
Marshmallow FAQs
Yes, marshmallow (Althaea officinalis) is a hardy perennial in USDA zones 3 through 9. The top growth dies back each fall and returns from the roots in early spring, expanding its patch year over year through self-sowing and root spread. In zone 10 and warmer climates without a real winter, marshmallow can be grown as an annual or with a chilled rest period.
Not directly. The candy gets its name from the plant because traditional marshmallow confections were made by combining the mucilage from marshmallow root with sugar or honey. Modern marshmallows replace that mucilage with gelatin and contain no part of the plant. You can, however, make traditional herbal marshmallows at home using a strong infusion of marshmallow root in place of the gelatin in a marshmallow recipe.
Marshmallow grows wild in marshes, streambanks, brackish wetlands, ditches, and other consistently moist habitats throughout Europe, Asia, and parts of North America. As a garden plant, it grows in temperate climates worldwide and is hardy from USDA zone 3 through zone 9. The plant prefers full sun and consistently moist, slightly heavy soil.
Marshmallow plants typically take 2 to 3 years from seed before the roots are large enough to harvest for medicinal use. The plants will flower in their second year and reach full mature size by year three. Leaves and flowers can be harvested starting in the first year without harming the plant or the developing root system.
Use a sharp spade to dig a wide circle around an established plant, then lift the entire root mass. Take a portion of the roots (about a third to half) and replant the crown with the remaining roots intact in the original hole. Water the replanted crown thoroughly, and it will recover and continue producing for years. This sustainable approach maintains a productive patch indefinitely.
Marshmallow tolerates partial shade but produces the largest plants and the most flowers in full sun. In hot southern climates, afternoon shade can actually benefit the plants by reducing heat stress. In cooler climates, full sun all day is ideal. Plants in deep shade will survive but tend to grow leggy with sparse flowering.
Place the seeds on a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag (or simply put the unopened seed packet) in the refrigerator for 3 to 4 weeks before planting. Keep the towel just barely moist, leaving the bag open about an inch for air exchange. After the cold period, sow the seeds in seed-starting mix at room temperature, where they should germinate in 1 to 3 weeks.
Medicinal Herb Growing Guides
If you tried growing marshmallow plants, leave a ⭐ star rating on the how-to card and let me know how it went in the 📝 comments below!
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How to Grow Marshmallow Plants from Seed
Ingredients
- Marshmallow seeds, Althaea officinalis
- water
- seed-starting mix
- compost
- mulch
Instructions
- Cold stratify the seeds by placing them on a damp paper towel inside a plastic bag (or simply put the unopened seed packet in the fridge) for 3 to 4 weeks.
- Sow stratified seeds in moist seed-starting mix, pressing them gently onto the surface and covering with just a thin layer of soil. Marshmallow seeds need light to germinate.
- Place the tray in a warm, bright location around 68-72°F. Seeds typically germinate in 1 to 3 weeks, with uneven emergence.
- Once seedlings have several true leaves and night temperatures are reliably above 50°F, harden off gradually over a week. Transplant outdoors 18 inches to 2 feet apart in full sun with rich, moist soil.
- Mulch with 2 to 3 inches of compost or shredded leaves to hold moisture and suppress weeds during the first season. Water consistently.
- Allow plants to grow undisturbed for 2 to 3 years, harvesting only leaves and flowers in the meantime if desired.
- In the second or third fall, harvest roots by lifting the entire plant with a wide spade, taking a portion of the roots, and replanting the crown to maintain the patch.
- Wash roots thoroughly, chop into thin slices, and dry in a dehydrator at 95-105°F for 12-24 hours until they snap cleanly when bent. Store in a sealed jar away from light.
Notes
Once you’ve got marshmallow settled in the medicinal garden, the next step is usually adding a few more friendly perennials. Ashwagandha, astragalus, and tulsi are all gentle adaptogens that pair well with marshmallow’s soothing mucilage, and our guide to easy-to-grow medicinal herbs is a good shortlist for new herb gardeners. Calendula and elderberry are also classic homestead medicinals worth adding to the patch.
Make Your Own Herbal Medicine
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Hi there!
My dad used to grow them just for me. As a child I used to get bad cold/flu. Someone had told my dad about its uses and he started them for me. It helped me. So now I’m getting bad coughs and want to grow my own. The flower was what helped me not the roots or leaves. I wonder how it will grow in central California. My dad was growing them in Kabul Afghanistan.
You should be able to grow them in California, at least as an annual. They do need to be able to go dormant in the winter, so likely you could plant them several times a year (since you don’t really have a winter there, at least not compared to here). That way you could harvest all year round. Make sure you give them rich soil with a lot of compost, and water very regularly. They like moist soil, and don’t like to dry out. Good luck!
I was trying to find out if I could grow Marshmallow in Vermont and as I’m reading your article, you’re from VT! I’d love to ask you some questions if you could please email me, I’d super appreciate it!
Are you wanting to ask questions about the marshmallow? If so, you can just post them here. That way, everyone can benefit from the answers.
Hi,
If I wanted to use marshmallow as an remedy for UTI how would I take/make it?
Thanks for the article. I think I’m going to try growing marshmallow this year.
Many people use marshmallow in teas. You could probably find a good herbal tea recipe online that might be useful for a UTI.
Can I purchase seeds from you to grow this marsh mallow plant?
You can try Fedco or Strictly Medicinal seeds.
I noticed this is an older post. Did you try the marshmallow root tea for making marshmallows? I need a healthy recipe for marshmallow fluff…..wondering if I could take your modified recipe with actual mm root and make it and just not finish it through cooking/baking….
Just FYI: the comment box uses teeny teeny tiny print….difficult for older people to read and fix any spelling issues!!!
We are talking flea sized letters
I’m not sure. I have never thought of trying that. Let us know if you decide to try it.
Oh my goodness, pinch me I must be dreaming. I have the perfect place to start me a Marshmallow Plant Garden, near the lake in our backyard. Close enough (that is) so I won’t fall in while relaxing with one of my gardening books. Asley, I adore your column so much and now, I have one more flower to eat. Blessings.
Wonderful! Marshmallow plants really are spectacularly beautiful, I’m so glad you’re going to grow them =)
Does this mean it could be used as a vegan substitute for gelatine, in more than marshmallows
It’s possible. You may want to experiment with it a bit and see. I would love to know how it works.
I read about this in The Well Being Journal, my original source for almost all of what I know about nutrition and well being. Your article captured my interest in the first paragraph. Thank you for writing it. I will buy some on-line to use now, and then grow my own to use.
You’re welcome. I am so glad that you enjoyed the article.
What are marshmallows’s sun/shade requirements & tolerances?
where can i buy marsmallow seed pls i want to palant too
Oh many places! I’d suggest fedco seeds or strictly medicinal seeds.