Great Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

Family: Scrophulariaceae (Figwort family), although some newer classifications place it in the Plantaginaceae (Plantain family).Native: Native to Europe, Asia, and northern Africa. It has been introduced and naturalized in many parts of the world, including North and South America, where it is often considered a common roadside weed.Identified: Sep 1, 2025

Great Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a biennial plant that typically forms a large rosette of soft, fuzzy, silvery-green leaves in its first year, as seen in the image. These basal leaves are oblong to spatulate, densely covered with trichomes (hairs) that give them a velvety texture. In its second year, it sends up a tall, sturdy flower stalk (1-2.5 meters tall) bearing numerous yellow flowers.

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Care instructions

Great Mullein is a highly adaptable and low-maintenance plant. It thrives in full sun but can tolerate partial shade. It prefers well-drained, average to poor soils and is very drought-tolerant once established. It rarely needs fertilization. As a biennial, it reproduces by seed, so if you wish to prevent it from spreading, remove the flower stalk before seeds mature. It is deer resistant and generally free from serious pests or diseases.