Mullein, Common (Verbascum thapsus) seeds, organic [SD, WA no]
$3.95 – $499.00
Family: Figwort (Scrophulariaceae)
Hardy to Zones 3 to 8
(Aaron’s Rod, Great Mullein, Common Mullein, Velvet Plant) Biennial to 6 feet, native to Eurasia but naturalized worldwide. The plant has 2 growth phases, making a large and downy rosette in the first year, rising to an impressive flowering wand in the spring to summer of the second year. Traditional usage (TWM): maladies of the mucous membranes, antitussive. This is the most productive and best respected species to grow for leaf production. Plant prefers disturbed soil, will grow in clay, gravel or loam, likes full sun and requires only moderate water. The seeds are light-dependent germinators. Sow in spring by sprinkling on soil surface and tamp securely, then keep warm, evenly moist and in the light until germination, which is rapid. Thin or transplant to 2 feet apart.
Packet contains 100 seeds
1 g contains ~1,250 seeds
5 g contains ~6,250 seeds
10 g contains ~12,500 seeds
100 g contains ~125,000 seeds
1 lb contains ~ 567,500 seeds
Certified Organically Grown
Not for sale to SD, WA states
Question
Carole –
When is the best time to harvest leaves?
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Richo Cech –
Hi Carole,
Thanks for contacting. This plant is very forgiving and pervasive, with a wide window of acceptable timing for leaf harvest. Once the leaves reach full size in the first year rosette they are fair game, and in the second year they may be harvested even when the plant is in flower. Probably best not to take off all the leaves. Richo
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Question
Stephanie Villalobos (verified owner) –
Hey Richo,
The soil in my yard is a bit sandy at it’s baseline. For plants like mullein, catnip, etc that typically grow in waste areas, do you still recommend tilling in compost and amendments? Or just tilling and tossing the plants on the native soill
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Richo Cech –
hi stephanie, thanks for contacting. your original intuition is correct–catnip and mullein inhabit waste places and will want no compost. richo
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Michael Mahler –
Hello Richo, N. Sacramento Valley, CA Zone 9b, 300 day growing season; 22” annual rainfall. Am I pushing my fortune, trying to get this to work for its full 2-year cycle? Thank you, Mike
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Richo Cech –
Hi Mike, Thanks for contacting, and for giving your zone and locality specifics. What I’ve noticed is, that the Greek Mullein is a better choice for warmer zones. The Verbascum thapsus tends to be more of a northern dweller. richo
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Question
Gladys –
How many plants would I need to produce enough mullein to have 2 cups of tea each day for a year?
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Richo Cech –
six
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Judy Miller –
Richo, I too live in FL now and want to grow mullein. Do you think freezing the seeds prior to planting would help?
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Richo Cech –
hi judy, mullein germinates quickly when pressed into sandy soil, watered and left in the sun. It doesn’t need stratification. Richo
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Laura M (verified owner) –
Mullein is a beautiful, lovely plant, and it will reward you with abundant medicine. One leaf is enough for many portions of tea! I found that my mulleins did better than expected in part shade conditions. I also found that it was relatively easy to kill them with over-watering. My mulleins in pots fare slightly better than the ones I put into the clay ground. Perhaps the clay soil was too waterlogged in the winter, or perhaps the gophers got them. Interestingly, I managed to grow a big harvest of leaves simply because I forgot to transplant seedlings. The little seedlings got pretty big in their half-gallon pots, enough for a significant harvest of leaves. I think some of the roots snaked through the drainage holes, so it was technically rooted–but I think this method may help keep the plant from getting waterlogged–and it definitely helps protect from gophers.
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Question
gardengate500 –
I’ve never grown Mullein, either variety, but I’m curious – do y’all think Mullein would work well to help out in general soil remediation? I’ve got a patch of land that has had a lot of years of rainwater run-off from a busy road, and I’m looking to clean up that soil before I plant in it!
I’ve got other seeds for this purpose as well, so I wouldn’t be counting on it to do the whole job.
Just by looking at Mullein, I’m guessing the root would go pretty deep? Do you happen to know if the root ball spreads out pretty far too? Thanks for you time!
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Richo Cech –
hi! the mullein is a good bioremediator, breaking up hardpan with a deep taproot, not spreading, and adding plenty of humus to the soil, also attracting bees. r
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Bebe –
Can you grow Mullen in Florida
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Richo Cech –
Hello Bebe, Mullein is a biennial so although you can easily grow the first-year rosette in Florida, the plant may be confused by the lack of a winter so the flowering stage may not occur according to plan. Or it might. richo
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Sheryl –
Ca you ship philippines?
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Richo Cech –
Sorry, usually not successful
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Question
Kristina –
Hello! I only have potted space this year. Would Mullein do well in a pot? I’ve seen it growing on rock on the East Coast. I am currently in Portland, OR.
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Richo Cech –
Hi Kristina,
Actually, mullein does fine in pots. It often volunteers in pots around here, and sometimes outlasts the intentional plant!
Richo
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