Marshmallow is a perennial medicinal herb, long valued for its traditional uses. Its summer flowers are a moderate draw for honeybees and native bees.
Zones
Data not available
pH Range
5.5-8.5
Sun
Full Sun
Days to Maturity
150
Score Marshmallow on your exact land.
Zone averages can't see the slope, soil, frost, and sun that decide whether marshmallow actually takes — and those shift from one yard to the next. Enter your address and we'll score marshmallow against your land's real conditions.
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What Marshmallow is
Marshmallow grows as a perennial and reaches around four feet at maturity. It blooms pink in summer.
How to grow Marshmallow
Marshmallow is ready to harvest about 150 days after planting. Marshmallow does best in full sun — at least 6 hours of direct sun a day — and soil from pH 5.5 to 8.5, on consistently moist ground. It needs around 1,000 growing degree days to mature, which is why climate matters as much as soil.
USDA Zones
Data not available
USDA PHZM 2023
Soil pH
5.5 - 8.5
USDA PLANTS Database
Sun
Full Sun
plant_species_v5.csv
Drainage
poorly (saturated >50% of year)
plant_species_v5.csv
Days to Maturity
150 days
plant_species_v5.csv
GDD Required
1000+
plant_species_v5.csv
Mature Height
4 ft
plant_species_v5.csv
Frost-Free Days
0+
plant_species_v5.csv
Start the season right
Plant marshmallow in full sun with at least 6 hours of direct sun, once the soil has warmed and frost risk has passed.
Match the soil
Marshmallow prefers pH 5.5 to 8.5 (USDA PLANTS Database). A quick soil test from your local Extension lab tells you whether to add lime or sulfur to land in band.
Water steadily
Keep the root zone evenly moist through establishment. Match watering to the plant's drainage preference and your local rainfall.
Harvest at its peak
Harvest the part you grow marshmallow for — flower, leaf, or root — at its seasonal peak.
Good to know
Good news for pet owners — marshmallow isn't known to be toxic to dogs or cats. (Source: ASPCA.)
Marshmallow offers moderate value to bees and other pollinators. (Source: Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership.)
Where Marshmallow thrives
Whether marshmallow thrives on a given site comes down to its soil pH, drainage, sun, and frost dates — the conditions that vary parcel to parcel.
See if Marshmallow will thrive on your land
Zone averages are a start. Your exact soil pH, drainage, sun exposure, and frost dates shape whether marshmallow actually takes — we score it against the real conditions at your address.
Three things about your exact spot that zone averages miss:
We read public map data for this spot — soil, climate, flood, and parcel records. How we handle your address.
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Frequently Asked Questions
Can I grow Marshmallow in my zone?
Zone data for marshmallow is being finalized. A Growable Ground report checks your parcel's full suitability against federal soil, climate, and zone data.
How long does Marshmallow take to grow?
Marshmallow is ready to harvest about 150 days after planting (University Extension production guides). Your local frost dates and soil temperature move that window earlier or later.
When should you plant Marshmallow?
Most growers plant marshmallow after the last spring frost, once the soil has warmed. Your local frost dates set the exact window — a Growable Ground report reads them for your address.
How much sun does Marshmallow need?
Marshmallow needs full sun — a spot that catches at least 6 hours of direct summer sun a day. In more shade it still grows, but usually gives a smaller, later crop. The catch is that a yard rarely gets even light everywhere — a fence, the house, or one tall tree can quietly take those hours. A Growable Ground report reads the real sun-hours across your land, canopy and buildings included, so you can pick the brightest bed before you plant.
What soil does Marshmallow need?
Marshmallow prefers soil pH 5.5 to 8.5, on consistently moist ground (USDA PLANTS Database). Your report scores your parcel's actual soil against that using USDA SSURGO data.
Does Marshmallow attract pollinators?
Yes — marshmallow's flowers are a solid nectar source for honeybees and native bees (Xerces Society, Pollinator Partnership).
Is Marshmallow safe for pets?
Marshmallow is not known to be toxic to dogs or cats based on available data (ASPCA). Always supervise pets around new plantings.