Mellaga e bardh (

Althaea officinalis)

Althaea officinalis is a PERENNIAL growing to 1.2 m (4ft) by 0.8 m (2ft 7in).

It is hardy to zone (UK) 3 and is not frost tender. It is in flower from Jul to September, and the seeds ripen from Aug to
October. The flowers are hermaphrodite (have both male and female organs) and are pollinated by Bees. self.The
plant is self-fertile.
USDA hardiness zone : 3-7

Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: acid, neutral and basic (alkaline) soils
and can grow in saline soils.
It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers dry or moist soil.

Cultivation details
Succeeds in almost any soil and situation[1, 4, 200], though it prefers a rich moist soil in a sunny position[4,
200]. It also tolerates fairly dry soil conditions[1]. Plants are hardy to about -25c[187]. Marsh mallow is often
cultivated in the herb garden, as a culinary and medicinal herb as well as for ornament[61]. Its roots were at
one time the source of the sweet 'marsh mallow', but this sweet is now made without using the plant[4].

Propagation
Seed - sow spring or autumn in a cold frame. The seed is best sown as soon as it is ripe in late summer, the
germination is often erratic[238]. Stratification can improve germination rates and time. Prick out the seedlings
into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in the summer[K]. Division in
spring or autumn. Fairly easy, it is best to pot up the divisions in a lightly shaded position in a cold frame or
greenhouse until they are growing away well and then plant them out into their permanent positions. Root
cuttings in December.