Mullein comprise a large group of flowering plants in the figwort family that sport sturdy stems and saucer-shaped flowers. The foliage is fuzzy and has a silvery sheen. Most wild species are found in stony hillsides or open woodlands. As cultivated garden plants, they work well in cottage, gravel, or rock gardens. Mullein are sometimes known as “Beggar’s Blanket” because poor people would line their shoes with the leaves for warmth hundreds of years ago.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Verbascum is a genus of over 450 species of flowering plants, common name mullein (), in the figwort family Scrophulariaceae. They are native to Europe and Asia, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean.
Mullein or “mullein leaf” often refers to the leaves of Verbascum thapsus, the great or common mullein, which is frequently used in herbal medicine.
Verbascum are biennial or perennial plants, rarely annuals or subshrubs, growing to 0.5 to 3.0 m (1.6 to 9.8 ft) tall. The plants first form a dense rosette of leaves at ground level, subsequently sending up a tall flowering stem. Biennial plants form the rosette the first year and the stem the following season. The leaves are spirally arranged, often densely hairy, though glabrous (hairless) in some species. The flowers have five symmetrical petals; petal colours in different species include yellow (most common), orange, red-brown, purple, blue, or white. The fruit is a capsule containing numerous minute seeds.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Ideally, mullein should be planted in full sun for at least 6 hours every day. Partial shade is only recommended in southern locations. Lack of sunlight often causes the plants to become leggy.
Temperature and Humidity
Mullein grows over a wide temperature range, from climates with cold winters to hot summers. 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.
Soil and Water
Easy to grow in well-drained soil, mullein tolerates a wide range of soil conditions and a pH between 6.5 and 7.0. It does better in poor, sandy soil than in rich soil, which may lead to weak, sprawling plants that need staking. 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.
Fertilizing
Fertilizer is not only not needed but giving it too many nutrients harms this plant, as mullein thrives in poor soil.
Planting Instructions
Plant mullein in a location with full sun. Deep soil is best due to the plant’s long taproot but apart from that, mullein adapts well to many types of soil and grows in soil with slightly acidic to neutral pH.
Plant mullein in the spring, which gives it maximum time to get established. 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 the 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.
Pruning
Deadheading mullein will produce more blooms. Cut the flower stalk off the plant just below the lowest blossom. The second and subsequent flushes of bloom are often not as bold as the initial one, but ample flowers will continue to unfurl as long as the growing conditions are conducive.
If you don’t want the plant to reseed, which mullein does freely, remove the seed heads before they mature and disperse the seeds.
Propagation
The best way to propagate mullein is from seeds. Start plants from seed indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in spring or sow seeds directly in the garden after the danger of frost has passed.
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.
Potting and Repotting
Because of the plant’s considerable height, choose a small variety for container-growing. Select a tall, heavyweight container (terra-cotta is ideal) of at least 1 gallon or larger to fit the taproot of the plant, and make sure it has large drainage holes. 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. To winterize the pots, insulate them by sinking the container in the ground or by placing it in a second, larger pot to create a planting silo.
Repot to a larger pot with fresh potting mix when the root system has reached the sides of the container, or the roots grow out of the drainage holes.
Overwintering
Verbascums are generally hardy perennials, tolerating temperatures as low as -5°c. To protect throughout the winter, mulch around the base before the frost hits if you live in one of the colder parts of the UK.
Pests and Diseases
While there are no major pests and diseases to look out for, Verbascums tend to attract caterpillars. You will be able to identify this by looking for holes in the leaves. You can grow Verbascums in the middle of a border to hide the leaves and prevent damaged foliage being on display without harming wildlife. Other than this, they are generally pest resistant.
III. Uses and Benefits
In gardening and landscaping, the mulleins are valued for their tall narrow stature and for flowering over a long period of time, even in dry soils.
There are many suitable places for mullein: in the back of of borders and beds, in containers, cut flower gardens, pollinator gardens, and meadows. Mullein grows well alongside many kinds of plants. Pair it with peonies, Russian sage, lady’s mantle, sedum, coneflower, and ornamental grasses in a perennial planting. Plant annual varieties of mullein in the cutting garden and enjoy armloads of fresh bouquets.
