Lavatera cachemiriana

At a glance

Lifecycle: Perennial (hardy)
Exposure: Full sun
Frost limit: −12.2 °C

Cultivation

Avery easily grown plant, succeeding in any ordinary garden soil in sun or partial shade. Plants are hardy to about -20°c. This species is considered by some botanists to be no more than a minor variant of L. thuringiaca.

Propagation

Seed - sow spring in a cold frame and only just cover the seed. Germination is usually quick and good. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle and plant them out in early summer[K]. Basal cuttings in spring. Cuttings of softwood in June/July.

Edible uses

Young leaves - raw or cooked. A mild flavour, but they are tough and not very worthwhile[K]. When cooked they have a somewhat slimy consistency[K]. Flowers - raw. Rather bland, but an attractive garnish to a salad[K].

Medicinal uses

Demulcent, pectoral, purgative.

Material uses

A strong fibre is obtained from the stems, it is used for making string, bags, paper etc.