Marshmallow

3.5” pot Marshmallow, the sugary confection, has its roots in marshmallow the plant. In earlier times, people would cook the roots with honey or sugar, form it into soft balls, and give it to their children to suck on to soothe a sore throat. As a medicinal plant, the roots and leaves of marshmallow contain large amounts of mucilage and pectins, sugars, flavonoids, tannins, salt and phenolic acids.  The root is harvested in the fall and the leaf and flower can be harvested during the summer.  View Sawmill’s Herb Profile for more information.  Plant hardiness in MA: Perennial Light preference: Sun Plant spacing: 18” Plant height: 36-48” Soil requirements: Moist, well-drained  Harvest notes: Leaf, flower and root