Marshmallow blooms with marshmallows on a white background.
Marshmallow Seeds
Marshmallow growing in garden
Close-up Marshmallow blooms
Marshmallow blooms with marshmallows on a white background.
Marshmallow Seeds
Marshmallow growing in garden
Close-up Marshmallow blooms

Marshmallow Seeds

4.419 ReviewsSKU: #HB190Min. seed count: 50
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Regular price $3.00
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Description

African native. The original source of an Egyptian confection that evolved into today’s marshmallows. The roots and velvety leaves have been eaten as a vegetable for centuries, often fried with onion and garlic. 3- to 4-foot stems of 1- to 2-inch, white-to-pink flowers are reminiscent of hollyhocks, to which this plant is related. The plant is also renowned in various folk cultures for its medicinal properties.

Growing Tips: Cold-stratify 4-6 weeks, grow indoors, and set transplants out after frost, or direct seed in late winter, very early spring. Harvest roots starting second year from planting.

Plant Details

Botanical Name
Althaea officinalis
Life Cycle
Perennial
Sun Requirement
8–12 hr.
Days to Germinate
14–21
Planting Depth
¼ in.
Plant Spacing
12–24 in.
Ideal Temperature
60°F
Frost Hardy
Yes

When to Grow

Marshmallow seed likes a bit of cold, about 41 F, to encourage germination, so cold-stratify it for 4 to 6 weeks, then sow 1/4 inch deep and grow indoors at an ideal germination temperature of 50 to 75 F, setting transplants out after frost. Alternatively, direct seed in late winter or very early spring. Expect seedlings in about 14 to 21 days after the cold period, with a few stragglers over several weeks.

Space the plants 1.5 to 2 feet apart in full sun to partial shade. They are perennial and reach four feet tall, and the taproot is harvested in fall, starting the second year from planting.

How to Sow and Plant

  • Seeds germinate over several weeks to even months, and they like a bit of cold (about 41 F) to encourage germination.
  • Sow 1/4 inch deep.
  • Ideal germination temperature is 50-75 F.

How to Grow

  • Prefers full sun to partial shade.
  • Provide loamy moist soil. This is a marsh plant, but it cannot grow in standing water/underwater; good drainage is important.
  • Space plants 1.5-2 foot apart.
  • Plants reach to four feet tall.

PESTS/SPECIAL CONSIDERATIONS

  • A relatively pest-free plant.
  • Taproot is harvested in fall after plant has died back.

How to Save Seeds

  • 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.

FAQ

Does marshmallow seed need anything before sowing?

Yes. The seed likes a bit of cold, about 41 F, to encourage germination, so cold-stratify it for 4 to 6 weeks before sowing 1/4 inch deep at an ideal germination temperature of 50 to 75 F. After the cold period, expect seedlings in about 14 to 21 days, with a few stragglers coming along over several weeks.

Is this a bog plant? Where should I put it?

It is a marsh plant, but it cannot grow in standing water or underwater, so good drainage is important. Give it full sun to partial shade and loamy, moist soil, spacing plants 1.5 to 2 feet apart. The 3- to 4-foot stems carry 1- to 2-inch white-to-pink flowers reminiscent of hollyhocks, to which this plant is related.

What has marshmallow been used for?

It is both ornamental and edible: the roots and velvety leaves have been eaten as a vegetable for centuries, often fried with onion and garlic, and the root was the original source of the Egyptian confection that evolved into today's marshmallows.
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