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Mullein - Live Plant

SKU: PLANT-23-409

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$6.00

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Mullein

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Description
About Mullein
How to Use Mullein
FAQ

Description

With its tall, robust stem and fluffy, silver-green leaves, the Mullein plant is a stunning visual feature that is guaranteed to attract attention. This herb is available in a 3.5” pot and can grow up to 6 feet tall, making it a unique statement piece in your garden. It requires little maintenance and does well in both full sun and some shade. It prefers soil with good drainage and moderate irrigation. With proper care, be ready to welcome bright yellow blossoms that will draw bees and other pollinators to your yard.

About Mullein

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) has been valued for its therapeutic benefits for many years. Although it originally came from Europe and Asia, it is now also seen growing naturally in North America. The mullein plant's broad, smooth, velvety leaves are distinctive due to their fine layer of fuzz and tall, erect stem.

Its leaves, petals, and roots have long been used to treat several respiratory issues, such as coughs, asthma, and bronchitis. It is also believed to possess anti-inflammatory and pain-relieving qualities. It is still widely used in herbal medicine today and is a favorite among gardeners wishing to add a distinctive and eye-catching plant to their landscapes.

How to Use Mullein

Tincture: Dried mullein leaves are macerated in alcohol for 4 to 6 weeks to formulate a tincture.
Tea: Dried mullein leaves are soaked in hot water for 10 minutes to make tea.
Salve: Mullein-infused oil is combined with beeswax to form a pain-relieving salve.
Vinegar Infusion: Dried mullein leaves can be soaked in apple cider vinegar for 3 to 6 weeks, shaking and adding vinegar during the period, to formulate a boneset vinegar infusion.

Mullein - Live Plant Frequently Asked Questions

Is Mullein an annual or perennial plant?

Mullein has a two-year life cycle because it is a biannual plant. The plant grows a rosette of leaves close to the ground in its first year. It then sends up long, upright stems up to six feet tall, capped with spikes of yellow flowers in the second year. It usually dies back after flowering and produces seeds, ending its life cycle. If the plant is cut back after flowering to promote new growth, it can sometimes behave like a short-lived perennial and last for several years.

How much space should be needed to grow Mullein?

Mullein can reach heights of six feet and a width of two feet. To ensure proper air circulation and an area for the plant to stretch out, it is advised to plant mullein at least two to three feet apart. Mullein needs a lot of space to develop, so if you're growing it in containers, use a big pot with a diameter of at least 12 to 16 inches.

When should I harvest Mullein?

Mullein is typically harvested in the second year of growth after the plant has produced its tall spike of yellow flowers. The best time to harvest Mullein is in the mid to late summer when the flowers are in full bloom and before they start to wither and die back. You can also harvest the leaves of the Mullein plant throughout the growing season, as needed.

Does Mullein flower or fruit?

Yes, Mullein produces both flowers and fruits. It flowers in typically mid to late summer and is a favorite of bees and other pollinators. After the flowers have been pollinated, the Mullein plant produces small, round seed capsules that contain numerous tiny seeds. These seeds may self-sow and grow new Mullein plants close to the parent plant, or they may be gathered and conserved for sowing the following year. Although Mullein fruits aren't frequently utilized in food or medicine, they are an essential part of the plant's life cycle and help it propagate and spread.