common mullein
Verbascum thapsus
Overview
Common mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a tall, upright, flowering plant native to Europe and Asia. It has a woolly, grey-green stem with bright yellow flowers and greyish-green leaves. It can reach a height of up to 2 meters. It is a biennial plant, meaning it blooms once in two years. Common mullein is used medicinally to treat respiratory tract infections, such as sore throat and cough, among other health ailments. The seeds and leaves have also been used traditionally to prepare tea, which is believed to have sedative properties. It is an easy to grow plant, often seen popping up in disturbed areas and roadsides.
Care Guide
Watering
Minimum — every "7-10" days.
Light
Filtered shade, Full sun, Part sun/part shade.
Soil
Rocky , gravelly , dry, Well-drained
Temperature
Hardiness zone 3-9.
Pruning
Best pruned in June, July, August.
Propagation
Division, Root Cutting, Seed Propagation, Layering Propagation, Stem Propagation
Diseases & Pests
Common pests: Aphids, adelgids, Deer resistant, Rabbit resistant, Drought resistant .
Related plants
Other plants you might like if you grow common mullein.
alpine betony
Betonica officinalis 'Hummelo' ( syn. Stachys monieri )
Carolina lupine
Thermopsis villosa
Dahlberg daisy
Thymophylla tenuiloba
early goldenrod
Solidago juncea
Ingwersen's Variety bigroot geranium
Geranium macrorrhizum 'Ingwersen's Variety'
baby sage
Salvia microphylla
common evening primrose
Oenothera biennis
alum root
Heuchera richardsonii