Althaea officinalis, commonly known as marsh mallow, is a herbaceous perennial native to salt marshes, damp meadows, and the edges of tidal rivers and estuaries in Europe, Western Asia, and North Africa. It typically grows to a height of 71 inches (180 centimeters) and has a spread of about 24 inches (60 centimeters). The plant is characterized by its soft, stellate-hairy leaves and showy, five-petaled lilac to pink flowers that bloom in late summer. The flowers are followed by disc-shaped seed pods. Marsh mallow’s mucilaginous roots are thick, long, and tapering, and both the roots and leaves have been used historically in herbal medicine.

Marsh mallow is valued for its ornamental flowers and its historical medicinal uses. It is often grown in herb gardens, naturalistic plantings, and as a component in wildlife gardens, where it can attract pollinators such as bees and butterflies. The plant prefers full sun to part shade and thrives in moist, well-drained soils. It is relatively low-maintenance but may require staking in windy sites. While generally disease-resistant, marsh mallow can suffer from rust or leaf spot in humid conditions. It is not known to have aggressive roots or to be particularly invasive. In addition to its medicinal properties, the roots, leaves, and flowers are all edible, with the roots historically used as a base for the original marshmallow confections.CC BY-SA 4.0