(Althea officinalis) If any of you are prone to long-lasting coughs and sore throats in the winter months, you’ll want this perennial herb in your garden. Edible white/blushed with pink flowers and big soft leaves reaching a height of 6-8’ make this herb hard to miss & resist. Both the roots and leaves are gentle expectorants and soothing to the throat and urinary tract. Young leaves are delicious in a salad. Beautiful, long-lasting perennial. An old and welcome friend every spring as the greens arise and a happy sight as it continues to bloom throughout summer. Sow it where you'd like to see it return year after year. Long tap roots and happy to reseed.
Perennial. UO

Packet: 100 seeds

[split]

Growing Info

SOWING:

Indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost.

Plant out after your last frost.

Direct seed after your last frost.

Note: Cold stratification can help with germination.

PLANTING DEPTH:

1/4"

SPACING:

12" in rows 15" apart.

EMERGENCE:

14-20 days @ soil temp 50-60F

LIGHT:

Full sun to part shade

FERTILITY:

Average. Prefers well-drained and evenly moist soil.

ADDITIONAL NOTES:

Cold tolerant to zone 3.

Leaves, stems, flowers, and roots are used in herbal medicine as a gentle expectorant and topical soother.

LOVED by pollinators!

Marshmallow