More Information
| Botanical Name |
Althaea officinalis |
| Seeds Per Pack |
50 |
| Life Cycle |
Perennial |
| Min. Time to Germinate |
2 Days |
| Max. Time to Germinate |
21 Days |
| Depth to Sow Seeds |
1/16 in. |
| When to Sow |
Indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost, Outdoors after all danger of spring frost is past |
| Growing Height |
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m) |
| Plant Spacing |
18-24 in. (45-60 cm) |
| Hardiness |
USDA Zone 3a: to -35F, USDA Zone 3b: to -30F, USDA Zone 4a: to -25F, USDA Zone 4b: to -20F, USDA Zone 5a: to -15F, USDA Zone 5b: to -10F, USDA Zone 6a: to -5F, USDA Zone 6b: to 0F, USDA Zone 7a: to 5F, USDA Zone 7b: to 10F, USDA Zone 8a: to 15F, USDA Zone 8b: to 20F, USDA Zone 9a: to 25F, USDA Zone 9b: to 30F |
| Sun Exposure |
Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade |
| Danger |
N/A |
| Bloom Color |
White/Near White |
| Bloom Time |
Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid-Summer |
| Foliage |
Herbaceous |
| Other Details |
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater, This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds |
| Soil pH Requirements |
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral) |
| Propagation Methods |
From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall, From seed; sow indoors before last frost, From seed; stratify if sowing indoors, From seed; winter sow in vented containers, coldframe or unheated greenhouse |
| Seed Collecting |
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds, Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored |
African native. The original source of an Egyptian confection which evolved into today’s marshmallows. The roots and velvety leaves have been eaten as a vegetable for centuries, often fried with onion and garlic. Three to four-foot stems of 1-2 inches and 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. Hummingbirds love the blooms!
