perennial

Orange Mullein

The Story

Plant Bio

Verbascum phlomoides is a stiffly upright biennial that spends its first year forming a dense, ball-shaped basal rosette of thick, gray-green leaves covered in woolly hairs. In the second year, the plant produces a single, towering architectural spike packed with bright yellow flowers, dying completely after setting seed.

The coarse foliage is heavily felted with protective stellate hairs that deter browsing pests, while the upper leaves clasp the stem directly without petioles. The dense flowering spike opens sequentially from the bottom up over several months, attracting a wide range of native bees.

Uses & Benefits:

Provides a dramatic, vertical architectural element with its tall, densely packed yellow flowering spikes and felted gray-green foliage.

Thrives in poor, dry, and gravelly soils where other ornamental plants fail to establish.

Serves as an abundant source of pollen and nectar for native bees and other beneficial pollinating insects.

Essentials

At a Glance

Plant Type

Perennial

Height

59"

Width

24"

Light

Full Sun

Zones

6, 7, 8, 9

Water

Low

Humidity

Moderate

Lifespan

Biennial

Native To

Europe and temperate Asia

Toxicity

Skin Irritant

Bloom period

Summer – Fall

In flower about 6 months of the year

Planting

How to Grow

Select a planting site in full sun with excellent drainage, as wet winter soils will rot the taproot.
Sow seeds directly onto the soil surface in spring or summer, pressing them lightly into the earth without covering them, as they require light to germinate.
Water sparingly during the first season to encourage the development of a deep, drought-resistant taproot.
Leave the low-growing evergreen rosette undisturbed through the winter, allowing it to gather energy for the second-year bloom.

Pro Tip

Avoid amending the soil with organic matter or applying fertilizer, as rich conditions force rapid, weak stem elongation that causes the heavy flower spike to flop and require staking.

Keep It Thriving

Care Guide

Do

Plant in poor, gravelly, or sandy soils to maintain a sturdy, self-supporting growth habit.
Cut the spent flower stalk down to ground level immediately after blooming to prevent aggressive self-seeding.
Wear gloves when handling the foliage to prevent mechanical skin irritation from the dense woolly hairs.

Don't

Do not fertilize or plant in highly organic, rich garden beds.
Do not water overhead or crowd plants, as poor air circulation combined with humidity invites powdery mildew.
Do not attempt to prune or cut back into old leafless tissue, as the biennial stem will not regenerate.

Seasonal Care Calendar

Task	Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
Deadhead
Pest Check
Plant
Winter Prep

Watch Out For

Pests & Diseases

Common Pests

Common Diseases

In the Garden

Landscape Uses & Companions

Landscape Uses

Gravel gardensCottage gardensArchitectural bordersDry meadows

Companion Plants

Liatris spicata Echinacea purpurea Salvia nemorosa

Multiply

Propagation Methods

Good to Know

Common Questions

Orange Mullein questions

What zones can Orange Mullein grow in?

Orange Mullein is hardy in USDA Zones 6–9. Inside that range it survives winter in the ground; outside it, grow it as an annual or a container plant you protect.

Is Orange Mullein deer resistant?

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

When does Orange Mullein bloom?

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

Does Orange Mullein need full sun?

Orange Mullein does best in full sun (6+ hours).

Is Orange Mullein drought tolerant?

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