Verbascum Seeds

• The Verbascum plant
• How to sow Verbascum
• How to grow Verbascum
• Tips and precautions
• Pests and diseases
• Uses and curiosities

The Verbascum plant

Verbascum thapsus, commonly known as Great Mullein, belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family and is a biennial or short-lived perennial herb. Its stem is upright and sturdy, covered in a dense grey-green down that gives it a velvety appearance. It can reach heights from 50 cm to over 2 metres, with large oval leaves at the base that become progressively smaller up the stem.

How to sow Verbascum

Sow preferably in spring or late summer, directly into the ground or in trays for later transplanting once seedlings have 3-4 true leaves. Seeds should only be pressed lightly onto the soil surface, not buried, since they need light to germinate. Germination is usually slow, taking 2 to 3 weeks at temperatures between 10 and 25 degrees Celsius.

How to grow Verbascum

Verbascum prefers full sun and tolerates poor, stony or sandy soils well, as long as drainage is good. It suits gravel gardens, rock gardens, informal borders and dry areas where other plants would struggle. It needs little watering once established, coping well with summer drought thanks to the dense wool covering its leaves.

Tips and precautions

Avoid heavy soils prone to waterlogging, which can cause root rot. A light organic feed at the start of the season is enough: too much fertiliser tends to weaken the flower stem. As a biennial, the plant tends to dry out after flowering in its second year, but self-seeds very readily.

Pests and diseases

The main pest associated with Verbascum is the mullein moth (Cucullia verbasci), whose caterpillars feed on the leaves: light infestations can be removed by hand. Otherwise it is a very rustic plant, rarely affected by fungal diseases when grown in full sun and well-drained soil.

Uses and curiosities

Verbascum has been known since ancient times for its medicinal properties: flowers and leaves are traditionally used in herbal teas with soothing effects. It is also a melliferous plant, much appreciated by pollinators, and its seed retains exceptional viability in the soil, sometimes for several decades.