A tall, cottage-garden favorite, this undemanding plant attracts hummingbirds.
A favorite plant of hummingbirds and pollinators,mulleinattracts the attention of non-winged garden visitors too.
The more than 350 species in theVerbascumgenus are native to Europe and Asia.
The most diversity of mullein is found in the Mediterranean.
Where to Plant Mullein
Plant mullein in a location with full sun.
Mullein grows well alongside many kinds of plants.
Plant annual varieties of mullein in the cutting garden and enjoy armloads of fresh bouquets.
One plant produces more than 100,000 seeds.
Dig a hole about twice the diameter of the nursery pot and about the same depth.
Place the plant in the hole and fill in original soil to the top of the root ball.
Gently tamp down the soil.
Water deeply after planting and continue watering until it is established.
Space plants 1 to 3 feet apart depending on the height of the variety.
Mullein Care Tips
Mullein is easy to grow.
Light
Ideally, mullein should beplanted in full sunfor at least 6 hours every day.
Partial shade is only recommended in southern locations.
Lack of sunlight often causes the plants to become leggy.
Good drainage, however, is a prerequisite for good growth.
Mullein does not tolerate wet or poorly drained growing conditions.
Water plants regularly for the first growing season after planting.
Many popular mullein varieties are Mediterranean species that grow in a dry climate.
The combination of heat and high humidity is not conducive to growing mullein.
Pruning
Deadheadingmullein will produce more blooms.
Cut the flower stalk off the plant just below the lowest blossom.
Potting and Repotting Mullein
Because of the plants considerable height, choose a small variety for container-growing.
Fill it with a combination of well-draining potting mix and compost.
Keep in mind that container plants require more frequent watering and fertilization than plants in the landscape.
Although mullein is winter-hardy in cold climates, containers expose its roots to the cold.
Pests and Problems
Mulleins are not often bothered by serious pests or diseases.
Powdery mildew and fungal leaf spot may occur.
Scatter the seeds over the soil surface and do not cover; they need light to germinate.
Keep the soil evenly moist.
If starting seedlings indoors, transplant them outdoors after the last spring frost.
Types of Mullein
Olympic Mullein
Verbascum olympicumgrows an impressive 6-8 feet tall when in bloom.
The first year, it produces a rosette of silvery-gray foliage, which persists through the winter.
The following year, it sends up branched candelabra of yellow blooms.
Olympic mullein may die after blooming, but it usually self-sows to come back in future years.
Peak bloom occurs in late spring, but the plant may bloom sporadically throughout the summer.
It is a short-lived, self-seeding perennial that often blooms the first year from seed.
These are carried on long spires, sometimes branched.
The woolly stems rise to 3 feet.
If deadheaded, it continues to bloom all summer.
The plant grows 5 feet tall and reseeds easily.
Its colorful, flat-top blooms rise above clusters of ferny foliage.
The tough plants are rarely eaten by deer and rabbits.
Many of the recent introductions bring longer displays of colors with varieties in glowing red and burgundy.
It spreads slowly over time and adds stunning vertical accents wherever it is planted.
The flowers are borne on leafless stems.
The strappy foliage may be evergreen or deciduous.
One requirement for good growth is well-drained soil.
It does not tolerate wet soil or poor drainage.
Updated by Nadia Hassani
Common mullein, verbascum thapsus.
Accessed August 2, 2024. https://hort.extension.wisc.edu/articles/common-mullein-verbascum-thapsus/.
