Mullein, Verbascum – Planting, care and propagation

In order to be able to plant the mullein in the garden, you can use appropriate young plants from the garden trade or you can grow them yourself from seeds. Can be planted in autumn or late spring. For this purpose, a correspondingly large planting hole is dug and the mullein is planted at planting intervals of between 50 and 100 cm, depending on the final growth height. The planting distance should always correspond to half the growth width of the respective species. Water well after planting.

location and soil

Verbascum mullein prefers bright, full sun and warm locations. The soil should be both permeable and calcareous and dry as well as nutrient-poor or lean.

watering and fertilizing

• The mullein should only be watered immediately after planting.
• Otherwise, as a rule, it no longer needs to be watered.
• It copes very well with drought.
• The mullein also tolerates severe drought very well.
• However, occasional watering can be beneficial during prolonged hot spells.
• This plant is very sensitive to waterlogging.
• The gift of a complete fertilizer only from the second year.
• Fertilization at the beginning of the growing season.
• The mullein rewards this with lush flowering and vigorous growth.
• Further fertilization is usually not necessary.

propagation

The propagation of the mullein is relatively unproblematic. Varietal species can be propagated in spring by sowing and hybrids in autumn by root cuttings.

Propagation by sowing

Almost all mullein species are self-seeding, so you don’t usually have to sow them to propagate them. If you want to sow them despite everything, this is possible both in spring and in autumn. The seeds mature after flowering and turn brown to black. If you use seeds from your own plant stocks, new plants are not always true to the variety.

The seeds can be grown in pots and planted out later. Appropriate planters or pots with potting soil are required for this. Commercially available peat pots are particularly suitable for this purpose. The seeds are distributed on the potting soil, lightly pressed and moistened.

The pots with the seeds are then placed outdoors in a sheltered position in a sunny spot. The substrate should always be kept slightly moist. Once the seedling has formed at least four pairs of leaves, you can plant the young plants on the spot in the garden. If peat pots were used for sowing, the plants can be planted together with these pots. However, there should only be one strong plant in each pot.

For autumn sowing, it is enough to spread the seeds on the ground and lightly rake them in. The seeds should not be completely covered with soil, as the mullein belongs to the light germs.

Propagation by root cuttings

The mullein can also be propagated via root cuttings. Root cuttings are pieces of root that are taken from the respective mother plant. A sharp knife and a spade are required for this form of propagation.

The best time for such a propagation is autumn. You should choose plants that are as healthy and strong as possible. Now the root is exposed or dug up on one side of the plant. Then pieces of root about 5-10 cm long are cut from the root. It is important here that you cut the lower ends of the cuttings diagonally and the upper ones straight. After that, the root of the mother plant should be immediately re-embedded in the soil.

With the obliquely cut ends facing downwards, the cuttings are then inserted into the appropriate substrate, so deep that the upper end is flush with the substrate. Then there is a layer of substrate about 1 cm thick. This is now well moistened. The whole thing then hibernates in an unheated cold frame, which should be aired regularly, or in a bright and cool room in the house, for example in the basement or in a garage.

When the first pairs of leaves have developed, in the following summer, you can harden off the plants and then plant them out. For the first few days after planting out, it is advisable to shade the young plants and protect them from the blazing sun.

Pruning and wintering

• A pruning is not absolutely necessary with the mullein.
• It often dies after flowering.
• Despite everything, a radical pruning after flowering is recommended.
• This should be done up to the rosette that is directly above the floor.
• This can make the plants more durable.
• If you want to use the seeds of the plant, you should wait until the seeds are mature before pruning.
• Just as not all mullein species are perennial, not all are hardy either.
• However, most varieties have sufficient winter hardiness.
• These species therefore do not need winter protection.

diseases and pests

Verbascum mullein is largely resistant to diseases and pests, so that there is usually no fear of infestation.

particularities

In the biennial varieties, the basal leaf rosette with its velvety soft leaves appears in the first year. In the second year, the plant develops its upright, hairy stalks, which, depending on the species, can sometimes reach a height of more than 2 m. The enchanting flowers will then gradually appear on this stem. Perennial varieties are usually wild species. Incidentally, the blossoms of the mullein play an important role in medicine. The leaves are velvety soft or woolly felt-like, hence the name wool herb. In this way, the mullein protects itself from snails and too much evaporation.

As already mentioned, the flowers of the mullein are used medicinally, although the effectiveness varies from variety to variety. The yellow flowers of the Verbascum densiflorum are said to be the most effective. These are harvested from July to September, preferably on sunny days and here preferably in the morning or around midday. Repeated harvesting stimulates the plant to form new flowers. Care should be taken when harvesting, as the buds are very delicate and turn brown easily. Buds that are already on the ground should not be used. The storage of the collected flowers should be cool and dry.

The large-flowered mullein Verbascum densiflorum is known, among other things, as a so-called dye plant. Its flowers are still used today as a natural dye for wool and natural fibers, which can be used to achieve colors such as light yellow, green or brown.

Beautiful varieties

• Großblütige Königskerze – Verbascum densiflorum
  • biennial variety
  • between 50 and a maximum of 250 cm tall
  • Due to its size and growth, keep planting distances of about 1 m
  • By sowing early, this mullein can bloom in the first year
  • Flowers from July to August
  • lemon yellow with a slightly darker center.
• Black Mullein – Verbascum nigrum:
  • biennial, hardy and reaches heights of growth between 50 and 100 cm
  • Light yellow, rarely white flowers with red spots on the inside
  • Diameter of 18-25mm
  • Flowering from June to September
  • the violet stamens are conspicuous
• Königskerze – Verbascum ‚Southern Charm‘
  • relatively new perennial variety
  • Peach to pink flowers covered with purple hairy stamens
  • Flowering period from late May to late July
  • grows to a height of about 60-90 cm and is very suitable for cottage gardens or mixed perennial borders
  • Cutting back to about 5 cm after flowering is usually rewarded with a magnificent second flowering in September
  • hardy.
• White mullein – Verbascum chaixii f. album ‘Wedding Candles’ –
  • white flowering variety
  • orange and purple stamens
  • Flowering from June to August
  • between 40 and 100 cm high
  • Inflorescences between 50 and 60 cm wide
  • hardy
• Little Mullein – Verbascum x cultorum ‘Jackie’
  • hardy variety
  • new breed
  • Growth heights of 60 – 80 cm
  • This compact perennial produces salmon pink flowers from July to September
  • is also suitable for cultivation in tubs
• Veronica Königskerze x worshipers Blue Lagoon’
  • perennial and hardy variety ‘Blue Lagoon’ is the first blue flowering mullein worldwide
  • Blue can turn more purple on calcareous soils
  • between 80 and 100 cm high
  • blooms from June to September

Conclusion
The mullein is an impressive plant that, due to its different growth sizes and flower colors, fits well into any small or large garden and can be combined very well with other plants. It is very easy to care for and relatively resistant to diseases and pests. In addition, it reproduces itself very well, for example via seeds, and thus produces new plants again and again, so that you can enjoy these beautiful plants for many years.