Sweet Blooms, Healing Roots: How to Grow Marshmallow Plant at Home

The Latin name Althaea comes from the Greek althainein, meaning “to heal,” a reference to the plant’s long history in traditional herbal medicine. 

Marshmallow plant has been used for thousands of years for its soothing, mucilaginous properties. This mucilage coats and soothes irritated mucous membranes, which makes it good for sore throats and calming coughs. Herbalists have also used it to support digestive health and to help reduce irritation and inflammation. Marshmallow root is also an ingredient in natural haircare products, where it is used for its conditioning and detangling qualities.

The fluffy marshmallows you roast over a campfire were named after this plant. Early confectioners in France used the sap of marshmallow root to make a soft, soothing treat. Our modern grocery store marshmallows are made from gelatin and sugar, but you can still make your own fluffy root-based marshmallows at home.

Marshmallow plants are not difficult to grow, but there are a few things you need to know to successfully start marshmallow plants from seed. The seeds will germinate better if they go through cold stratification. This process is easy: place the seeds in the refrigerator for 8 to 12 weeks. You can also scarify the seed coat to improve germination. 

After seeds have been cold stratified, they can be planted ¼” deep. Soil temperature should be at least 60ºF for germination.

• Cold stratify the seeds for 8 to 12 weeks

• Lightly scarify seeds by rubbing with sandpaper

• Plant ¼” deep

• Soil temperature should be 60ºF

• Keep seeds moist and warm for germination

• Seeds germinate in 14 to 21 days

When choosing the best spot to grow marshmallow, remember that it can get tall, and the roots need a couple of years to establish before you start harvesting. You’ll want to find a place where the plant will have room to grow.

Start seeds outdoors (after cold stratification) or transplant after all danger of frost has passed. Space plants 12 to 24 inches apart.

As the name suggests, marshmallow plants like wet soil but don’t want to be waterlogged. Marshmallow is not drought-tolerant and needs to have consistent water. We use our drip irrigation system.

Marshmallow plants don’t need extra fertilizer. We added a layer of compost before planting, and that is sufficient.

The whole marshmallow plant is edible, from the fuzzy leaves to the flowers, and especially the roots. You can harvest the leaves and flowers any time to use in teas. 

The marshmallow roots contain the most potent part of the plant. Wait until the second fall of the year to dig up the roots. Dig carefully, and you can take the entire root system, or harvest only a portion of the roots and replant the other sections to allow the plant to regrow. 

After harvesting, wash the roots thoroughly, slice them, and dry them on screens or in a food dehydrator at a low temperature. Once they are fully dry, marshmallow roots can be stored in airtight containers for a year or two. 

Marshmallow plants aren’t aggressive spreaders. The roots do continue to grow, and new shoots will form each year. They also drop seeds that can germinate the following spring.