
Details
Mullein is mostly grown by herbalists and wildflower enthusiasts, because it’s not the most beautiful plant for the landscape. It’s a wildflower in Britain and Ireland, and the plants tolerate poor soil and heat. Mullein’s leaves and flowers are used medicinally as a tea or tincture as an expectorant. American Goldfinches, Indigo Buntings, and a few other birds eat mullein seeds. Hummingbirds sometimes use the soft leaves to line their nests. During the first year, mullein will form a rosette of large, velvety leaves up to 12” long. In the second year, a velvety flower spike will emerge, producing small yellow flowers.
Legend holds that the plant could ward off evil spirits. In fact, ancient history cites mullein as the plant that Ulysses carried to protect himself against the evil Circe.
Michigan Seeds and Plants grown on our farm, Renegade Acres, in Howell, MI!
Certified Organic by Oregon Tilth.
Additional Info
Botanical Name | Verbascum thapsus |
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Life Cycle | Biennial |
Min. Time to Germinate | 14 Days |
Max. Time to Germinate | 30 Days |
Depth to Sow Seeds | 1/16 in. |
When to Sow | Indoors 6-8 weeks before last spring frost, Outdoors after all danger of spring frost is past |
Growing Height | 6-8 ft. (1.8-2.4 m) |
Plant Spacing | 36-48 in. (90-120 cm) |
Hardiness | USDA Zone 4a: to -25F, USDA Zone 4b: to -20F, USDA Zone 5a: to -15F, USDA Zone 5b: to -10F, USDA Zone 6a: to -5F, USDA Zone 6b: to 0F, USDA Zone 7a: to 5F, USDA Zone 7b: to 10F, USDA Zone 8a: to 15F, USDA Zone 8b: to 20F, USDA Zone 9a: to 25F, USDA Zone 9b: to 30F, USDA Zone 10a: to 35F, USDA Zone 10b: to 40F |
Sun Exposure | Full Sun, Sun to Partial Shade |
Danger | Parts of plant are poisonous if ingested |
Bloom Color | Bright Yellow |
Bloom Time | Late Spring/Early Summer, Late Summer/Early Fall, Mid-Spring, Mid-Summer |
Foliage | Grown for Foliage, Silver/Gray, Velvet/Fuzzy-Textured |
Other Details | Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping, Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season, This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds |
Soil pH Requirements | 6.6 to 7.5 (neutral), 7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline), 7.9 to 8.5 (alkaline) |
Propagation Methods | From seed; direct sow after last frost, From seed; direct sow outdoors in fall, From seed; sow indoors before last frost |
Seed Collecting | Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds, Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored |
Seeds Per Pack | 200 |