Also known as Mullein · 348 gardener saves
Verbascum: the varieties gardeners actually grow
Verbascum, the genus most gardeners know as mullein. We track 12 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Verbascum varieties
Of 12 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedSouthern Charm Mullein
Verbascum thapsus 'Southern Charm'
#2 most savedPurple Mullein
Verbascum phoeniceum
#3 most savedPurple Mullein
Verbascum phoeniceum 'Violetta'
Cotswold King Mullein
Verbascum thapsus 'Cotswold King'
Common Mullein
Verbascum thapsus
Black Mullein
Verbascum nigrum
Wedding Candles Mullein
Verbascum chaixii 'Wedding Candles'
White Nettle-leaved Mullein
Verbascum chaxii 'Album'
Jackie Mullein
Verbascum thapsus 'Jackie'
Caribbean Crush Mullein
Verbascum thapsus 'Caribbean Crush'
Olympic Mullein
Verbascum olympicum
Cherry Helen Mullein
Verbascum thapsus 'Cherry Helen'
How to grow Verbascum
What the Verbascum varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 12 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Verbascum year
- Spring CleanupFebruary and March92% of varieties
Remove any dead or damaged foliage from the basal rosette.
- DeadheadJune–August83% of varieties
Cut spent flower spikes back to the basal rosette to encourage rebloom and prevent self-seeding.
- PlantMarch, April, September and October42% of varieties
Plant transplants in spring or fall; sow seeds in late summer.
- StakeMay and June42% of varieties
Stake the tall flower spikes as they grow to prevent wind damage.
Do
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms
- Provide full sun for optimal flowering
- Mulch to retain soil moisture
- Water deeply during dry spells 🌱
- Apply organic compost annually
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Avoid overwatering, which can cause root rot ❌
- Don’t plant in heavy, poorly drained soils
- Refrain from excessive fertilizing, which can reduce flowering
What goes wrong with Verbascum
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky honeydew and distorted leaves | Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing and speckled foliage | Use horticultural soap or miticides |
| Root rot | Wilting and yellowing leaves | Ensure well-drained soil and reduce watering |
| Powdery mildew | White powder on leaves | Improve air circulation and use organic fungicide |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply sulfur fungicide |
| Root rot | Wilting and brown roots | Reduce watering and improve drainage |
Making more Verbascum
seeds
- Collect mature seeds in late summer.
- Sow seeds on surface of well-drained soil in early spring.
- Keep soil moist and place in full sun.
- Germination occurs within 2-3 weeks.
- Thin seedlings to 12 inches apart after emergence.
Cuttings
- Take basal cuttings in early spring.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist compost.
- Keep cuttings humid for 6 weeks until roots develop.
Verbascum questions
How many types of Verbascum are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 12 distinct Verbascum varieties. The most popular — ranked by 348 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Verbascum grow in?
Across its varieties, Verbascum covers USDA Zones 4–9. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Verbascum bloom?
Most Verbascum varieties bloom in late spring to late summer, early summer, late spring to mid-summer. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Verbascum should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Verbascum in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
