Marshmallow (Althaea officinalis), offered by AKÈNE
🌿 A precious medicinal plant with delicate flowers 🌿
Marshmallow is a perennial plant with multiple uses, cultivated since Antiquity for its medicinal virtues and its ornamental role. It can reach 1.5 m in height and is distinguished by its pinkish-white flowers that bloom from July to September . Its downy foliage and slender stems give it an elegant appearance in gardens. Highly prized in herbal medicine , it is recognized for its emollient, softening and anti-inflammatory properties, particularly effective in relieving inflammation of the mucous membranes and soothing coughs.
🌱 Hardy and easy to grow , it appreciates rich, moist, well-drained soils , and adapts perfectly to naturalist gardens, riparian strips and medicinal vegetable gardens.
Characteristics of the variety
📅 Flowering : July to September
📏 Height : 150 cm
🌱 Spacing : 40 cm
☀️ Exposure : Sun
🌿 Life cycle : Perennial
🌾 Soil type : Loamy, rich
💧 Soil moisture content : Medium to slightly moist
🦌 Deer Resistance : Low
📦 Seeds per packet : 70
Sowing and cultivation
📏 Sowing depth : Surface (do not cover the seeds)
🌡 Germination time : 10 to 30 days
⚡ Scarification : Remove the brown film from the seeds to promote germination
❄️ Cold stratification : Not necessary
🔹 Outdoor method :
1️⃣ Sow directly in open ground in spring or fall.
2️⃣ Lightly compact the soil to ensure good contact between the seeds and the soil.
3️⃣ Water lightly and keep the soil moist until the seedlings emerge.
🔹 Indoor method :
🌱 Start sowing 6 weeks before the last frost , then transplant into open ground after the risk of frost.
💦 Maintain constant humidity without excess until germination.
🌿 A hardy plant that adapts well to humid and fertile environments.
Medicinal and culinary uses
🍵 A versatile natural remedy
The roots, leaves and flowers of marshmallow are used for their soothing and anti-inflammatory properties . They are prized in infusion to treat throat irritations, relieve coughs and calm digestive inflammations.
🧴 In external application , a decoction of roots or leaves is used to soothe burns, skin irritations and wounds .
🍽️ Edible flowers , ideal for culinary decoration or in sweet and softening herbal teas.
Ecological roles and utilities
🐝 A refuge for pollinators : Its nectar-rich flowers attract bees, butterflies and other beneficial insects .
🌱 A natural soil stabilizer : Its deep roots prevent soil erosion , particularly in wet and riparian areas.
🌿 An ally of biodiversity : It promotes a balanced ecosystem and fits perfectly into natural gardens.
Companion plants
🌿 Lemon balm, echinacea, valerian
Enemy plants
🌿 None known
Why choose marshmallow?
🌸 An elegant bloom that beautifies gardens
🍵 A must-have medicinal plant
🐝 An asset for pollinators and biodiversity
🌱 Easy to grow and resistant in various environments
🌿 Add this ancestral and beneficial plant to your garden to combine beauty and usefulness!