2 named cultivars

perennial

Mullein

The Story

Plant Bio

Verbascum chaixii, the nettle-leaved mullein, is a short-lived perennial from south-central Europe and central Russia. It forms a broad basal rosette of coarse, softly hairy leaves, from which narrow flower spikes rise two to three feet high. Small yellow flowers, each centred with vivid purple stamens, open along the spike from May into July.

The purple stamens against yellow petals are the detail worth seeing close up, and the spikes give strong vertical structure in poor, dry ground where little else stands upright. It is short-lived and dies out unless it seeds, so leave a few spikes to ripen; but wet, poorly drained soil kills it outright rather than shortening its life.

Uses & Benefits:

Slim yellow spikes with striking purple stamens, giving vertical line in a dry planting.

Thrives on poor, dry, rocky ground and needs no feeding, watering or staking there.

Long-flowering spikes are worked steadily by bees, and deer leave the woolly foliage alone.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

36 inches

Width

18 inches

Light

Full Sun, Partial Sun

Zones

5, 6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low to medium

Humidity

Low

Lifespan

Perennial, short-lived

Native To

South-central Europe and central Russia

Toxicity

Non-toxic

Planting

How to Grow

Plant in spring in full sun.
Choose dry to medium, sharply drained soil; poor ground is fine.
Avoid any site that stays wet, which is usually fatal.
Water sparingly; it is drought-tolerant once established.
Deadhead most spikes before seed sets to prolong flowering.
Leave one or two spikes to seed so the planting renews.

Pro Tip

Deadhead most spikes but leave one to ripen; this plant is short-lived and a colony continues only from its own seed.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant it in full sun and sharp drainage ☀️
Use poor, dry, stony soil 🪨
Deadhead most spikes to prolong flowering ✂️
Leave one spike to seed for replacements 🌱

Don't

Plant it in wet or poorly drained ground ❌
Feed it into soft, floppy growth ❌
Deadhead every spike and lose the next generation ❌

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Seed

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Vertical accent in a dry sunny borderCottage garden and gravel plantingDry rocky slope and scree bed

Companion Plants

Catmint Lavender Yarrow Russian Sage Sea Holly

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Mullein questions

What zones can Mullein grow in?

Mullein is hardy in USDA Zones 5–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Mullein deer resistant?

Yes — Mullein is rated deer-resistant. Deer typically pass it over, though extreme hunger can override any plant's defenses.

When does Mullein bloom?

Mullein typically blooms in late spring to midsummer through late summer. Exact timing shifts a week or two with your zone — Sow's bloom calendar maps it to your garden.

Does Mullein need full sun?

Mullein does best in full sun to part shade. In hot climates, afternoon shade keeps blooms fresher longer.

Is Mullein drought tolerant?

Yes — once established (usually after the first full season), Mullein handles dry spells with minimal watering. Water deeply its first year to build the root system that makes that possible.