Mullein: planting, caring for & using

Mulleins, also known as wool flowers, owe their majestic name to their yellow flowers, which grow in the shape of a candle. We will introduce you to the mullein with its numerous species and provide tips for growing it in your own garden.

mulleins (verbascum) form a genus within the figwort family (Scrophulariaceae) with around 300 species. The natural range of the majestic flowering shrub extends from central and southern Europe to the Near East and North Africa. Some species are used as a medicinal plant to relieve sore throats and dry coughs because of the mucilage they contain.

Mullein: flowering time and properties

Depending on the type and variety, mulleins grow as annuals, biennials or perennials. However, most species are biennials. The flowering perennials are characterized by their upright, candle-like inflorescences that can grow up to two meters high. In the first year, biennial mulleins develop basal rosettes of matt green, velvety hairy leaves. Only in the second year do the inflorescences develop, whose numerous, spike-like arranged individual flowers blossom 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, most often yellow, but white, pink, purple or blue in some species or cultivars. The unequal petals surround a circle with four or five stamens. The stamens usually have woolly hairs and, like the stamens, can have a different color than the petals.

Verbascum is one of the most productive sources of pollen and is visited by numerous bees, bumblebees, beetles and other insects during the summer months. In late summer, the flowers give rise to capsule fruits that contain many seeds.

The most beautiful types of mullein

With around 300 different species and numerous variations and hybrids, mulleins enrich our plant world. About eight different species can be found in European gardens, as well as some hybrids that showcase their beauty. Below we present 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 around 1.50 m and flowers in July and August. The planting distance should be 1 m.

Dark Mullein (Verbascum nigrum)

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

White-flowered mullein (Verbascum nigrum 'Album')

within the species Verbascum nigrum There are numerous other varieties that are particularly suitable for growing in the garden. The white-flowered mullein in particular stands out: the clump-forming perennial grows 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.

Crimson Mullein (Verbascumphoeniceum)

Those looking for a species of mullein with purple flowers might like the purple mullein. It only grows to a height of 10 to 60 cm and looks rather dainty. Therefore, it can easily be planted with a planting distance of only 35 cm. Its flowers are red-violet to violet and open a little earlier than the other species (May to June).

Tip: Almost all mullein species are biennial, so they can only remain in the garden for more than two years by sowing them yourself.

Planting mullein in the garden

Mulleins can easily be planted in your own garden. They prefer dry and sunny locations and feel extremely comfortable in stone plants or on dry open spaces. Mulleins are simply ideal for dry and warm locations in full sun. The soil should be rather barren and nutrient-poor. 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 mulleins can be placed. If the soil is loamy, clayey or very humic, it should be mixed with sand to increase its permeability. In addition, a drainage layer of broken pottery or gravel can be placed in the planting hole. If the mullein is to be planted in a pot, the water drainage must be ensured through a corresponding hole in the bottom of the pot. As a substrate you should use a nutrient-poor potting soil such as ours Plantura Organic Herb & Seed Soil use to meet the low nutrient requirements 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 split, sand or crushed expanded clay. After planting, the plant should also be watered.

Care of the wool flower

As its location requirements suggest, the cotton flower has a very low water requirement. As a rule, mulleins only need to be watered when it is dry or hot. The nutrient requirement of the wool flower is also low, so that it is sufficient if it is fertilized once a year from the second year with a long-term fertilizer. For example, our is suitable for this Plantura universal fertilizer, which ensures a long-term supply of all important nutrients. A pruning is not necessary with mulleins. Nevertheless, it is advisable to cut off the faded and dried inflorescences close to the ground before winter. Under the right conditions, a flowering shoot will sprout again from the basal leaf rosette in the following year. On the other hand, if the inflorescences are left standing after flowering, the mulleins form seeds and in this way propagate themselves.

multiply mullein

The mullein reproduces all by itself by forming seeds that fall from the pods to the ground. If you want to control the sowing of the mullein a little better, 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. To germinate, mulleins love warm temperatures between 20 and 23 °C. In addition, the plants do not tolerate waterlogging during cultivation and should therefore be watered carefully with a spray bottle. Note that mulleins need light to germinate, so don't cover the seeds 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 also sow the mulleins directly into the bed on a dry day in autumn - here you have to However, note that tits and other birds in particular like the seeds of the mullein as winter food to use. Anyone who keeps a lot of birds in the garden 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 the spring and replanted in the desired spot in the flower bed. 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 when propagating via seeds.

Is the mullein hardy?

Most mulleins tolerate temperatures in the double-digit minus range and are therefore hardy in our latitudes. They do not require winter protection during the winter months and can bloom for many years at a time provided site conditions are right. However, it should be borne in mind that the majority of mulleins are only biennial and therefore usually die in the second winter. But don't worry: Most of the time, the mulleins will sow themselves again, so there is a high probability that new mulleins will grow in the bed next year.

Mullein: effect and use

Mullein has certain ingredients that can relieve symptoms commonly associated with a cold. Therefore, the mullein is a well-known medicinal plant that is often found in medicinal tea mixtures to relieve dry coughs. Of the many Verbascum species, the following three species are used medicinally: The large-flowered mullein (Verbascum densiflorum), the common mullein (Verbascum phlomoides) and the small-flowered mullein (Verbascum thapsus). Its flowers contain about 3% mucilage, which can soothe the mucous membrane of the throat when you have a cold. In addition, the flowers contain triterpene saponins, which can dissolve viscous secretions. They are able to help with a cold and to free the respiratory tract.
To relieve cold symptoms, you can brew a tea from the mullein blossoms as a home remedy. To do this, three to four teaspoons - which corresponds to about one and a half to two grams - of finely chopped, dried mullein flowers are poured into a cup of boiling water. After 10 to 15 minutes, the plant parts are strained and the tea is ready for consumption. The recommended maximum daily dose for dried mullein flowers is about 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, always ensure that they are properly dried and stored - moldy or rotten blossoms should never be used. If you are unsure about the application and dosage, consult your family doctor or pharmacist.

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