Mullein: plant, care & use

Mullein, also known as woolly flowers, owe their majestic name to their yellow flowers, which grow upwards in the shape of candles. We introduce you to the mullein with its numerous types and provide tips for growing it in your own garden.

Mullein (Verbascum) with about 300 species form a genus within the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae). The natural distribution area of ​​the majestic-looking bloom extends from Central and Southern Europe to the Middle East and North Africa. Some species are used as medicinal plants to relieve sore throats and dry coughs due to the mucilage they contain.

Mullein: flowering period and properties

Mullein grows as annual, biennial or perennial plants, depending on the type and variety. Most species, however, are biennial. The flowering perennials are characterized by their upright, candle-like inflorescences, which can be up to two meters high. In the two-year-old mullein, basal rosettes of matt green, velvety hairy leaves form in the first year. It is only in the second year that the inflorescences develop, the numerous, spike-shaped individual flowers of which bloom from June to August. Since the mostly yellow individual flowers do not open at the same time, but only gradually, you can enjoy a long flowering period. The individual flowers are composed of five petals, which are mostly yellow, but in some species or varieties they are also white, pink, purple or blue. The uneven petals surround a circle with four or five stamens. The stamens usually have woolly hair and, like the stamens, can have a different color than the petals.

Mullein are among the most abundant sources of pollen and are visited by numerous bees, bumblebees, beetles and other insects during the summer months. Capsule fruits, which contain many seeds, form from the flowers in late summer.

The most beautiful types of mullein

Mullein enrich our flora with around 300 different species and numerous variations and hybrids. There are around eight different species in European gardens, as well as some hybrids that showcase their beauty. In the following, we will introduce you to the most popular types of mullein for your garden.

Large-flowered Mullein (Verbascum densiflorum)

The flowers of the large-flowered mullein appear in a bright lemon yellow with a dark center. The popular mullein species reaches a height of about 1.50 m and blooms in July and August. The planting distance should be 1 m.

Dark mullein (Verbascum nigrum)

Another very popular species for growing in the garden is the dark mullein. It is characterized by its reddish stamens, which are surrounded by yellow petals. With a height of 1 to 1.20 m, the wild perennial remains slightly smaller than the large-flowered mullein and can be planted a little more densely (planting distance: 50 cm). The flowering period lasts from June to August.

White flowering mullein (Verbascum nigrum 'Album')

Within the Art Verbascum nigrum there are numerous other varieties that are particularly suitable for growing in the garden. In particular, the white-flowering mullein stands out: The clump-forming perennial is between 40 cm and 1.30 m high and around 60 to 80 cm wide. As the name suggests, the flowers are white and also have red stamens. The flowering period usually lasts from July to August.

Purple-flowered Mullein (Verbascum phoeniceum)

If you are looking for a kind of mullein with purple flowers, you might like the purple mullein. It is only 10 to 60 cm high and looks rather delicate. Therefore it can easily be planted with a planting distance of only 35 cm. Its flowers are reddish-purple to purple and open a little earlier than in the other species (May to June).

Tip: Almost all mullein species are biennial, so they can only survive in the garden for more than two years if you sow them yourself.

Planting mullein in the garden

Mullein can easily be planted in your own garden. They prefer dry and sunny locations and feel extremely comfortable in stone structures or on dry open spaces. Mullein are simply ideal for dry and warm locations in full sun. The soil should be rather barren and poor in nutrients. In any case, the soil must have good permeability, since the drought-loving perennial does not tolerate waterlogging - sandy soils definitely appeal to the mullein.

The plants can be planted directly in the bed in spring (from May). The planting distance varies depending on the species. When planting, sufficiently large holes are dug into which the mullein can be placed. If the soil is loamy, clay or very humus, it should be mixed with sand to increase its permeability. In addition, a drainage layer made of potsherds or gravel can be placed in the planting hole. If the mullein is to be planted in a pot, the water must drain through a hole in the bottom of the container. A nutrient-poor potting soil such as ours should be used as a substrate Plantura organic herb & seed compost use to meet the low nutritional needs of the mullein. In order to further improve the drainage properties, it is advisable to mix the substrate with additional drainage material such as lava chippings, sand or expanded clay. After planting, you should also water the plant.

Care of the woolly flower

As its location requirements suggest, the woolly flower needs very little water. Mullein usually only needs to be poured in persistent drought or heat. The nutrient requirement of the woolly flower is low, so that it is sufficient if it is fertilized with a long-term fertilizer once a year from the second year of standing. Our Plantura universal fertilizer, which ensures a long-term supply of all important nutrients. A pruning is not necessary for mullein. Nevertheless, it is advisable to cut off the faded and dried-up inflorescences near the ground before winter. Under the right conditions, the native rosette of leaves will sprout again in the following year. On the other hand, if the inflorescences are left to stand after flowering, the mullein will form seeds and thus spread by themselves.

Mullein multiply

The mullein multiply by themselves through the formation of seeds that fall from the capsules to the earth. If you want to better control the mullein sowing, you can harvest the ripe seeds in late summer and then immediately sow them in seed trays or your own pots. You should always choose a nutrient-poor substrate with a high proportion of sand. Mullein love warm temperatures between 20 and 23 ° C for germination. In addition, the plants do not tolerate waterlogging during cultivation and should therefore be carefully watered with a spray bottle. Note that mullein are light germs - so the seeds should not be covered with soil when sowing. You can then plant the young plants in the desired location in the bed in spring or early summer.

Alternatively, you can sow the mullein directly into the bed on a dry day in autumn - you have to do this here However, note that tits and other birds in particular like to use the mullein seeds as winter food to use. If you have a lot of birds in your garden, you should therefore expect that only a fraction of the seeds sown will actually develop into a plant.

Some types of mullein form so-called daughter rosettes. These small offshoots can be dug up in spring and replanted in the desired location in the flowerbed. With this type of propagation, you can be sure that the new mullein will have the same varietal characteristics as the mother plant. One does not have this certainty with propagation via seeds.

Is the mullein hardy?

Most mullein can tolerate temperatures down to the double-digit minus range and are therefore hardy in our latitudes. They do not need winter protection during the winter months and, if the site conditions are right, they can flower for many years in a row. However, it should be remembered that a large part of the mullein is only two years old and therefore usually dies in the second winter. But don't worry: the mullein usually sow themselves again on their own, so that there is a high probability that new mullein will grow in the bed in the next year.

Mullein: effects and uses

Mullein contains certain ingredients that can relieve symptoms that are often associated with the common cold. Therefore, the mullein is a well-known medicinal plant that is often found in medicinal tea blends to relieve irritable coughs. Of the many Verbascum species, the following three types are used medicinally: The large-flowered mullein (Verbascum densiflorum), the common mullein (Verbascum phlomoides) and the small-flowered mullein (Verbascum thapsus). Its flowers contain around 3% mucous substances, which can soothe the mucous membrane of the throat when you have a cold. In addition, the flowers contain triterpene saponins, which can dissolve tough secretions. This enables them to help with a cold and clear the airways.
As a home remedy, you can brew a tea made from the mullein flowers to relieve cold symptoms. To do this, three to four teaspoons - equivalent to about one and a half to two grams - of finely chopped, dried mullein blossoms are poured over with a cup of boiling water. After 10 to 15 minutes, the plant parts are strained and the tea is ready to be consumed. The maximum recommended daily dose for dried mullein blossoms is around three to four grams for adults.

Other types of mullein contain phytochemicals that can be toxic to fish and other animals. Before using mullein products, it should therefore be clarified exactly what type it is. When using mullein blossoms, make sure that they are dried and stored properly - moldy or rotten blossoms should never be used. If you are unsure about the application and dosage, ask your family doctor or pharmacist.

If you are interested in other medicinal plants, you can read our special article about the 10 best medicinal plants from your own garden Continue reading.