This herbaceous perennial has fleshy upright stem and a few lateral branches that form a open bushy habit. It has pubescent dark green lobed leaves and the white bowl-shaped flowers appear in a cluster from midsummer to autumn.  

Hardiness zones 5 to 8

Althaea officinalis is naturally found in Central and Southern Europe principally in the Mediterranean region and extending to central Asia. It is also found Atlantic Europe from southern Ireland to southern England and Holland growing in  the upper margins of salt and brackish marshes or in grassy areas and in disturbed soil. 

It grows in well to moderately drained fertile sandy to clay loam with a pH of 5.5-8.5 and prefers am open sunny position and is frost and marginally drought tolerant. 

Marsh Mallow is grown for its flowers and herbal uses. It is planted in small or herb gardens as a specimen and as a border or bedding plant in large gardens. It is grown in a wetlands or in a bog and used in wild flower gardens. It is suitable for coastal regions and establishes in 1-2 years. 

It has been used for over 2,000 years for food or in herbal remedies, which include the leaves to reduce inflammation. The sap from the roots and leaves contain mucilage that is mixed with water to form a sticky gel that is used to reduce irritation in the throat and stomach. ID 3539

Althaea  (AL-thay-uh)   officinalis (oh-fiss-ih-NAH-liss)

Malvaceae (mal-VAY-see-ee)
Cotton, Mallows and Hollyhocks