Althaea officinalis

RHS Plant Profile
marsh mallow

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marsh mallow RHS

Other common names

bismalva, guimauve, Joseph's staff, mauve, mortification root, white mallow, wymot, wymote, hocysen y morfa

Synonyms

Althaea taurinensis DC., non C.A. Mey.
Althaea kragujevacensis

Herbaceous Perennial
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A native, herbaceous perennial with softly hairy, grey-green leaves and stems. Small clusters of saucer-shaped, lilac-pink flowers appear on tall flowering stems from mid-summer to early autumn

Position

Full sun, Partial shade

Soil Types

Chalk, Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

1-1.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
2–5 years
Max Spread
1-1.5 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Chalk Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained or Poorly–drained or Well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun Partial shade
Aspect
South–facing or East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H6

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Malvaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
Yes
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Althaea are annuals or perennials with strong, wiry stems and broadly oval, lobed leaves. Sprays of small, pink to bluish-purple, five-petalled flowers are produced from summer to autumn
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Europe

How to Grow

Cultivation

Easy to grow and tolerates a wide range of conditions, though does best in fertile, moist but well-drained soil in full sun

Propagation

Propagate by seed sown in mid-summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Wildlife gardens

Pruning

Cut down to ground once flowering is over

Pests

May be susceptible to flea beetles

Diseases

May be susceptible to a rust