Mullein

Plant family

Figwort family (Scrophulariaceae)

Season Overview

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Dry

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Seeding distance

50 cm

Row spacing

50 cm

Seeding depth

0 cm

Instructions

Description

The genus mullein is part of the brownroot family (Scrophulariaceae). There are about 300 species. They are used as medicinal plants. They are herbaceous plants and can be annuals, biennials or perennials and grow up to 2 m tall. There are some trivial names such as: Thunder and lightning candle, torch flower, sky fire, chunkel, ogre candle, weather candle, winter blom, woolly flower or woolly weed. Insect-friendly. Well-known species in European gardens are large-flowered mullein, dark mullein, white-flowered mullein, purple-flowered mullein, The flowers are edible.

Growing tips

It is recommended to grow in a pot. A lot of seeds are formed. In biennial plants flowering occurs only in the 2nd year. Planting distance varies depending on the species. Can also be direct seeded on a dry day in the fall. Birds like to eat the seeds. Mullein are hardy, but annual species will still die of course. Good neighbors: pipe grass, catnip. Always use only one species in the garden, because mullein interbreeds.