Marshmallow

Soft, strokable leaves, silky like kitten fur. Tall, multi-stemmed herb with pale pinky-white summer flowers and a long medicinal history.

Common name: Marshmallow

Botanical name: Althaea officinalis

Scots names:

Gaelic name: Fochas (mocking), leamhad (vexatious) (Tess Darwin, 2008)

Parts used: Leaves, flowers and roots

Marshmallow growing in our garden © Lynne Maclagan

HOW TO GROW

WHERE TO GROW IT

Marshmallow, the clue is in its name, enjoys damp soil. It loves growing in the wet and reasonably sunny bed in my garden. It could tolerate clay soil, too, but I’ve not yet tried it.

GROW FROM SEED, DIVISION OR CUTTINGS

Grow from seed and help things along by giving the seeds a cold spell to break their dormancy and improve how many seeds germinate. You could put the seeds in a sealed bag with some moistened sand or kitchen roll in the fridge for two to four weeks. However, I’ve had decent results sowing in early autumn.

Grow from division between autumn and early spring, but cutting to split the root ball into two or more sections, depending on the size of it. Plant the divisions into fertile and moist soil.

Grow from cuttings

WHAT DOES IT LIKE?

Sun, rain and a good feed. Fresh homemade compost, seaweed or comfrey feed will help it along.

HOW TO GATHER

HOW TO HARVEST

I harvest the leaves regularly and as and when I need some for a cup of tea. But I also cut back some of the stems in spring and early to mid-summer so it produces fresh new stems and leaves.

HOW TO STORE

You can havest, dry and store the leaves in an airtight container, like a Kilner or herb jar. Store it out of direct sunlight and somewhere cool, like a kitchen cupboard.

HOW TO USE

The leaves, flowers and roots are used for their gooey soothing properties, and I love the flavour for an earthy herbal tea.

The gooey, known as mucilagenous, properties have been used for soothing coughs and stomach issues.

FOR YOUR CUPPA

Pick a few leaves and soak in hot water for a few minutes for an instant herbal cuppa. Or you can soak it in cold water overnight if you are looking for a sticky soothing drink.

FOR YOUR SALADS

Pick the fresh flowers and add them to your salads.

Marshmallow in the Dunoon Goes POP drinks garden

Caution: Information about the medicinal uses of herbs is part of their story. I am not a doctor or a medicinal herbalist, so consult a medical professional, especially if you are pregnant, breastfeeding or if you have any medical conditions, before using herbs as medicine.