Photo: Franz Eugen Köhler, Köhler's Medizinal-Pflanzen, Public domain · source
Pruning guide · Herb
Marsh mallow: when and how to prune
Althaea officinalis
Marsh mallow is best pruned in March.
| Pruning months | March |
|---|---|
| Flowering | July–September |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees and butterflies |
| Native to Belgium | Yes |
Marsh mallow: when to prune it?
Cut the old stems back to just above the ground in March, before the new shoots appear.
What else to prune in those months? March
Marsh mallow: how to prune it?
- Leave the spent stems standing over winter for insects and birds.
- In March, cut them back to 5–10 cm above the ground.
- In summer, remove leaves with rust and put them in the household waste.
- If you want fewer seedlings, cut off some of the spent stems in September.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: March.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Marsh mallow flowers in July–September, when it attracts bees and butterflies.
- If you only cut back in March, the old stems stand through the winter: insects overwinter in them and birds eat the seeds.
- As a native plant, it feeds more insects than a non-native species.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Marsh mallow · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.