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Marshmallow

Marshmallow

(Or marsh-mallow), aka Althaea officinalis.

Marshmallow is a perennial flowering plant that grows in damp areas. It stands 3-4 feet high with a branched stem. The leaves are soft and hairy with three divisions, sort of like a maple leaf. Along the upper stalk, beautiful flowers appear. The flowers have five heart-shaped petals that range in many colors, from white to pink or mauve. These flowers appear in late summer from July to September

For centuries, it grew wild in sunny, cool locations, such as along the edges of lakes or marshlands. You can still find it wild or naturalized in some places.

Marshmallow is considered to be highly medicinal, particularly its root, which is used in teas, tinctures, and other concoctions for herbal treatment of certain ailments. It is regarded as being anti-inflammatory, a diuretic, an emollient, able to treat an upset stomach, good for treatment of insect bites and wounds, among other qualities. It has also been used to naturally treat respiratory issues such as dry cough
and to reduce pain and swelling of the mucous membranes that line the respiratory tract. Historically, marshmallow was used by many ancient civilizations. Perhaps most popular is the Egyptians’ use of it. They used the mucilage of the marshmallow root to create a confection, because when it is boiled it creates a gelatin-like substance and a soft texture, similar to the marshmallow treats we enjoy today.
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Description

Optimal Time/Temperature for Germination:
Most gardeners opt to grow marshmallows from seeds since nurseries rarely sell these seedlings. The marshmallow is grown in USDA zones 3 to 9 as a perennial and it is also self-seeding. To start the plants from seeds, sow them in damp peat moss inside of a plastic bag and put the seeds in the refrigerator for 4-6 weeks (this is called cold stratification). In the spring, plant the seeds into your garden as soon as the ground can be worked. Typically, plan to plant the seeds into the garden 2-3 weeks before the last frost date. Once planted, be sure to keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate. Marshmallow seeds take time to germinate, typically several weeks. Another option is to grow this plant from root divisions or cuttings. You can take cuttings from the roots in summer, so long as you keep the ground damp. You also can divide the roots in the fall after the plant dies back down. Take a sharp shape or garden knife and slice down through the root mass. Then, take a part of the roots to plant elsewhere in your garden or share with your friends. Make sure to fill the space where you removed the roots with fertile soil.
Optimal Soil Conditions:
Marshmallow plants prefer to be growing in sandy, moist soil. It doesn’t like soil that dries out too fast, so you’ll want to add compost to your ground if it doesn’t retain moisture well. Marshmallow plants don’t care about the pH level of the soil, which makes it easier for gardeners to create the right soil mix. Given the word ‘marsh’ in the name implies they like growing in marshy conditions, but this does not mean ‘swampy’ so the soil needs to be moist but not under water.
Seed Planting Depth, Spacing and Procedure:
Sow the seeds into the ground in groups of 5-6, but make sure you don’t place them too deeply into the ground. Each group of seeds should be set 18-24 inches apart. These plants need to stay well-watered for the first year to allow the plants to become established. Plan to water weekly, supplying at least 1-2 inches of water per week, minimum.
Best Companion Plants and Plants that Hinder:
Marshmallow is a companion plant for its ability to attract certain bugs, which can deter them away from other plants. More specifically, marshmallow attracts harlequin bugs which are very harmful to cabbages and other related crops. By focusing on the layout of a garden, you may plant marshmallow on one side and keep such plants on the other side of the garden as to distract these pests from destroying them. In this situation, the marshmallow plant is able to camouflage and protect other plants. This relationship is vital, as harlequin bugs are not known pests of marshmallow. Marshmallow also attracts pollinators with its flowers, particularly bees. An example of an ideal planting companionship would be between marigolds and marshmallow. Marigolds are known for their ability to keep aphids away, which is the biggest pest threat for the marshmallow plant. In addition to this, marshmallow and marigolds are both known for attracting pollinators. By planting both of them together, or rather another plant that shares a similar relationship in its mutual benefits to marshmallow, both plants are able to thrive more easily by being placed against each other in a gardening environment.

Growing Instructions

Crop Maintenance

Moisture Requirements & Solutions:
Keep your marshmallow plants consistently moist at all times, without allowing the soil to become boggy or soaked.
Weeding Needs & Solutions:
No special requirements.
Feeding Needs/Optimal Natural Fertilizers:
You don’t need to stress around fertilizing these plants too often. When you plant the seeds or seedlings into your garden, you should consider adding compost to the soil to add vital nutrients needed for growth.
Pests, Diseases & Solutions:
Aphids are the biggest pest that affects marshmallow. Inter-planting marshmallow with marigolds should help protect against aphids. Flea beetles are another pest common to marshmallow. In the spring, insect netting can be used to minimize the damage from the flea beetle. Marshmallow is also prone to ‘rust’ which is a fungal infection. Remove and infected and damaged leaves, minimize ‘overhead’ watering and remove excess plant litter around the plant.
When to Harvest/Number of days to maturity:
The leaves, flowers and roots may be harvested. The plant should be left to mature for 2 or more years before attempting to harvest the roots. The leaves and flowers can be harvested at any time.
How to Harvest:
Marshmallow may be harvested differently, depending on which part of the plant is being harvested. The leaves may be harvested before and after flowering. The leaves may be cut with scissors or shears or be plucked by hand. If harvesting both the leaves and flowers, cut the stem with both attached. Since roots are the most commonly used part of the marshmallow plant, it’s important to know how to properly harvest them. After 2-3 years of growing marshmallows, the roots will be readily available for harvesting. It is best to harvest them in the fall before the ground begins to freeze. You can pull the plant up by hand or with the help of tools as to not damage the stems and other parts of the flowers, since the roots grow long and thick. Only remove a portion of the roots, leaving enough to where there is an identifiable crown still connected to the plant. This will ensure that the plant returns the next year. Once you have harvested its roots, dry them immediately.
Optimal Storage temperature and conditions:
It is best to dry all parts of the marshmallow plant that you plan on saving.
Optimal Preserving Procedures:
Hang Dry: Place stems upside down in a paper bag with the leaves and flowers still attached. Tie a string to the bag and hang them in a dry, dark room for a week. After about a week, they should be fully dried. If not let them sit for another week. Oven Dry: Heat up oven to 200°F. In the meantime, wash your roots and cut/grind them up (or place leaves and flowers in a single layer on a tray). When you are done prepping the marshmallow, place them on a tray and into the oven. Leave the oven at 200°F briefly then turn it off. Leave the door open so that they are not dried too quickly. Food Dehydrator: To dry marshmallow in a food dehydrator, place one part of the marshmallow at a time on the drying rack. Its leaves, flowers, and roots may all be dried in it. Once the drying rack is inside the dehydrator, turn it on its lowest temperature setting and allow them to sit in there for up to 24 hours. You may check on them in intervals, but it should take up to at least 12-18 hours to fully dry depending on the part.
Seed Saving:
Marshmallow is a very easy seed to save. Simply gather the brown, dried seeds and store in a cool, dry place. Self-saved seeds will need to be cold treated, so you can either scatter seeds in fall to expose them to cold or wrap them in a moist paper towel and pop them in the fridge for 2 weeks before starting indoors in a tray.

Harvest and Storage

Notes

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