Marshmallow Growing Guide
Growing Marshmallow is easier than you think. This guide walks you through everything you need — from planting your first seed to harvesting.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Herb
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Frost Tolerance
Frost Hardy
Cold Hardiness
Survives to -29°C
Plant Family
Malvaceae
Growing Season
Warm Season
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
Also grows well as
How to Start It
★ Recommended for beginners
Cold-stratify the seed (or sow in autumn), then start indoors 8 weeks before last frost. Thin/space to 60 cm.
The original marshmallow plant — its mucilage-rich root was the source of the old-fashioned sweet. A tall, soft-leaved perennial with pale flowers loved by bees. Harvest roots from autumn of the second year.
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
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Last Chance to Plant
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When should you plant Marshmallow?
Your planting dates depend on your local climate. Sign up and add your location to unlock personalized dates.
Your Marshmallow Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Marshmallow's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
0.5 cm
Seeding Depth
60 cm
Plant Spacing
75 cm
Row Spacing
Vertical Growing
No.
Succession Planting
No.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Expect sprouts in 14–28 days
Growing Tips
- 1Marshmallow likes full sun and moist, even damp soil — it's a natural for a wet spot.
- 2Let it grow two seasons before digging roots, and leave plenty of flowers for the bees.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
150 cm
Mature Height
60 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
When to Pick
Leaves/flowers in summer; roots in autumn of year 2+
How to Harvest
- 1Pick young leaves and flowers through summer.
- 2For the soothing root, lift two-year-old plants in autumn, wash, and dry the roots.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
How to Save Seeds
Collect the disc-shaped seed pods once they dry and brown. A spell of cold (stratification) improves germination, so fresh-sown autumn seed often does best.
Seed Production
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