How to grow Common Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

Very low maintenance, drought tolerant. Has a taproot, so after a certain point of maturity does not care for transplant.

Considered a weed by some, a wildflower by others, and an important herbal plant to the herbalists. It will reseed, most of the seeds are simply dropped near the parent plant.

Put this plant in your WORST soil / situation / area, it can thrive in conditions that would easily kill other plants.

Growing Common Mullein from seed

Seeds only germinate on open ground.

Look to ensure a distance 0.78 inches (2.0 cm) between seeds when sowing - bury at a depth of at least 0.04 inches (0.1 cm) deep. Soil temperature should be kept higher than 10°C / 50°F to ensure good germination.

By our calculations*, you should look at sowing Common Mullein about 49 days before your last frost date .

Transplanting Common Mullein

Biennial.
Start seeds in midsummer and grow on in sheltered conditions
Plant out into flowering position in late summer or early autumn
Mullein enjoys well drained sunny conditions

Ensure that temperatures are mild and all chance of frost has passed before planting out, as Common Mullein is a very hardy plant.

Harvesting Common Mullein

Flowers are prized among herbalists.

Here’s a video showing one method of using the flowers to make a cough syrup using flowers, sugar, and sunlight – https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=My3WHWYl-IA

Seed Saving Common Mullein

The seeds are ridiculously tiny. You can cut off the entire flower stalk, dry it / hang it upside down over a paper bag to collect seeds.

How long does Common Mullein take to grow?

These estimates for how long Common Mullein takes to sprout, grow and harvest are from real observations from real gardeners, right around the world.

Days to Germination How long does it take Common Mullein to germinate?
6 days

Average 6 days | Min 5 days | Max 11 days (4)

Days to Transplant How long until I can plant out Common Mullein?
+ 85 days

Average 85 days | Min 85 days | Max 85 days (1)

Days to Maturity How long until Common Mullein is ready for harvest / bloom?
+ 35 days

Average 35 days | Min 35 days | Max 35 days (1)

Total Growing Days How long does it take to grow Common Mullein?
= 126 days

When should I plant Common Mullein?

Our when to plant Common Mullein estimates are relative to your last frost date.

When to sow The number of days to sow Common Mullein before or after your last frost date.
49 days before Last Frost Date

Common Mullein Folklore & Trivia

Reportedly the dried stalks were dipped in wax and used as torches by the Romans. The plant naturalized in North America, and the foliage was used to provide warmth and padding in shoes. It contains many compounds that make it desirable to herbalists, used particularly for lung issues and ear aches. It also contains compounds that are detrimental to fish.

Other names for Common Mullein

Great mullein, Common mullein, Yellow Mullein, Cowboy Toilet Paper, Candlewick plant,

Verbascum thapsus L.

Footnotes


< Previous Plant Guide

Mona Lavender Plectranthus

Next Plant Guide >

Buddleia