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great mullein

great mullein

Verbascum thapsus

☀️ full sun💧 low waterZone 3a – Zone 9b

Great mullein is a tall, striking biennial with fuzzy gray-green leaves and dense spikes of small yellow flowers. It thrives in poor, dry soils and is excellent for drought-tolerant gardens and naturalized settings.

Overview

Form
Upright
Growth Rate
fast
Size
2–6′ tall × 1–2′ wide
Dormancy
deciduous

Tolerances & Soil

high
Zone 3aZone 9b
1471013
ColderWarmer
Zone range: Zone 3a to Zone 9b

Seasonality

Bloom Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Harvest Season

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Season of Interest

Summer

Herb

Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.

Succession Role

pioneerearly successional

Native Range

Mediterranean and Western Asia

Function & Care

dynamic accumulatormedicinalpollinator nectarywildlife benefitedible

Edible Parts

leafflowerroot

Establishment & Care

Establishment
easy
Maintenance
low
Propagation
seed

Companion Planting

Plants well with

1
Cchili pepper

chili pepper

Capsicum annuum

Great mullein's fuzzy leaves and flowers attract pollinators and parasitic insects that control pepper pests.

Avoid near

Notable Cultivars

Verbascum thapsus is typically grown as a species; 'Southern Charm' and hybrid cultivars like 'Pink Domino' offer ornamental color variations, though the species is most common in wild and permaculture settings.