Mullein Seeds — Verbascum thapsus

A Majestic Architectural Herb — Towering Spires of Yellow Blooms and Velvety Silver-Grey Foliage

Verbascum thapsus, Common Mullein, is one of the most striking and useful plants you can grow — a statuesque biennial with a long history of medicinal use that is equally at home in the herb garden, the cottage border, or a naturalistic planting. In its first year it forms a large, flat rosette of extraordinarily soft, densely felted silver-grey leaves — tactile, beautiful, and unlike almost anything else in the garden. In its second year it sends up a bold, upright flower spike that can reach 1.5–2m tall, densely clothed in small, bright yellow five-petalled flowers that open progressively up the spike over a long summer season. A plant of real presence and character, beloved by bees and other pollinators, and with a rich tradition of use as a medicinal herb across many cultures. Easy to grow and self-seeds reliably once established, ensuring a continuing supply of plants year after year.

Why Gardeners Love It

• 🌿 Extraordinary velvety silver-grey foliage — the large, densely felted rosette leaves in the first year are among the most tactile and beautiful of any garden plant; soft as flannel and a striking silver-grey
• 🌼 Towering yellow flower spikes — bold upright spires to 1.5–2m tall, densely set with bright yellow five-petalled flowers opening progressively over a long summer season; architectural and dramatic
• 🐝 Loved by bees and pollinators — the flowers are a valuable nectar source for bees and other beneficial insects throughout summer
• 🌱 Rich medicinal heritage — one of the most widely used medicinal herbs in traditional herbalism across Europe and beyond; the leaves and flowers have a long history of use for respiratory support and other applications
• 🌱 Easy to grow and self-seeds freely — once established, Mullein will self-seed reliably around the garden, ensuring a continuing supply of plants with no effort
• ☀️ Thrives in poor, dry soils — one of the most drought-tolerant and unfussy plants you can grow; perfectly suited to dry banks, gravel gardens, and difficult sunny spots

Growing Tips for New Zealand

Sow Verbascum thapsus in trays or direct in spring or early autumn onto moist seed-raising mix; press seeds lightly onto the surface as they need light to germinate. Transplant or thin seedlings to 60cm apart in a sunny position with well-drained, even poor soil — Mullein thrives in dry, lean conditions and dislikes rich, wet soils. Plants form a large flat rosette in the first year and send up their dramatic flower spike in the second year. Allow a few plants to set seed each season to ensure a self-sustaining colony. Mullein is well-suited to most NZ regions and is particularly effective in dry, sunny gardens.

Medicinal Note

Mullein has a long tradition of use as a medicinal herb. The large felted leaves and flowers have historically been used in herbal preparations for respiratory support. As with all medicinal herbs, please research appropriate use and consult a qualified practitioner before use.

What's in the Packet

Each packet contains 15 seeds of Mullein (Verbascum thapsus), with growing instructions included.