Verbascum thapsus Seeds | Mullein
LATIN NAME: Verbascum thapsus
COMMON NAME: Mullein
Plant Profile
Verbascum thapsus, commonly known as Mullein, is a tall, upright, biennial in the figwort family. Mullein is tall, yellow candle of dry verge, and small, five-lobed flowers crowd long, dense spikes above woolly leaves. It is a plant of open, sunny, sharp-draining ground. While it flowers, it feeds a quiet procession of bees and hoverflies. Together these qualities explain its long-standing appeal to gardeners.
Science & Biotechnology
Like other members of the figwort family, Verbascum thapsus draws steady attention from botanists and plant breeders, who value the genus both as a subject of research and as a source of garden-worthy material. It retains a following among breeders and collectors, which keeps seed stocks in circulation.
Uses & Benefits
Gardeners value Mullein for its ornamental character, and the plant also fits naturally into herb, vegetable and cutting gardens. Mullein is a fine, bold plant of dry verge and wild patch. Give young plants open, sunny spot, and candles will rise in second summer. Seedlings come up in their own good time and grow on steadily. Once it has settled, the workload drops to almost nothing.
Mullein is the lung herb of Western tradition: the soft leaf tea soothes dry coughs, and the flower-infused oil is the classic ear comfort remedy; its silver rosettes light up dry gardens.
Growing from Seed
Sow fresh seed of Mullein under ordinary good conditions. Use a fine, free-draining seed compost, scatter the seed evenly, cover it lightly and hold it just moist in good light. Move strong seedlings into individual pots, keep them in good light, and set them out when the weather and their size agree.
Our Take
Mullein repays a little patience at sowing time with plenty of garden presence later.
Related Reading
Gardeners who grow Mullein often pair it with these related subjects: