nope. Mullein is possibly one of the easiest plants to grow in a dry climate, the only thing is, when they're babies, the slugs and snails love them. But if you seed plenty and snailbait should be fine. They grow quite tall if you have much nitrogen in the soil... once, I had one seed itself in the front yard where it was in a dip where I guess fertilizer collected.... it got to be 15' tall. :o) The neighbors were "What the HECK is that monster!" :D

I just looked up mullein and it says to sow the seed late spring/early summer. I would guess that a cold period to break dormancy isn't required. I've never tried growing it from seed since they pop up around my place all on their own.

Here's an interesting tidbit, I've read that mullein seed has a 70 year viability. Neat to think about a plant popping up that could be from a seed older than I am. :)

FatMorgana

The neighbor's girlfriend grew up and spent her entire life in Hawaii. They did a little tour of the high mountains between Idaho and western Montana - on over to Glacier. What does she talk about after they get back home?? Mullein!

She thought that it was the funniest thing to get lost on a logging road and come onto a patch of mullein growing where the soil had been disturbed along the road. All of the tall plants, looking to her, as tho' they are standing around discussing the state of the economy or something.

I suppose, to a Hawaiian, they appear to be very "solemn" plants there in the open areas of the deep evergreen forests.

Steve

:o) Well, one person's weed is another's exotic plant! Because I live in a dry climate, Mullein is a no though plant... I don't plant it anymore, it reseeds itself and I just weed the seedlings.
But the lengths I go to keep my plumeria and tropical fruit alive.... sigh....

I had a yellow variety pop up in my garden this past spring. I've been working on the garden for 2 summers now and last year, I thought I'd take a chance and just direct sow my seeds (and of course I didn't mark any of it). I had 3 mullein plants sprout up. I took out 2 in the begining and left the one. I'm 5'3" and it went to about a foot over my head before I pulled it because my stepfather told me it was a weed. I wish I had left it, the stem and leaves had the neatest texture. Hopefully I get more next year.

"What is a weed? A plant whose virtues have never been discovered." - Ralph Waldo Emerson

"A weed is but an unloved flower." - Ella Wheeler Wilcox

"A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows." -Doug Larson

"What we call a weed is in fact merely a plant growing where we do not want it." -E.J. Salisbury

If it brings you joy, than it is not a weed. Mullein is a medicinal herb plant, if you want to tell your stepdad. By the way, you will probably have more seedlings spring up when you least expect it.

FataMorgana

ps...included the Plants for a Future page on mullein. The PFAF site is a great place to learn about what the weeds around you can be used for. Look up dandelion (Taraxacum officinale) for a treat on how useful a "weed" can be.

Here is a link that might be useful: PFAF - Mullein (Verbascum thapsus)

I like mullein because it has the same medicinal aspects as sudafed without the side affects.

I just bagged up a whole spike gone to seed and tossed it in the garbage!! It's our common weedy Verbascum thapsus. A few happened to self-sow them selves in my yard last year (they are biennials)and I left them to flower, but I'll be dipped before I let them set seed in my yard. Ours are capable of setting over a million pepper (like table pepper) sized seeds and their seeds can remain viable/lay dormant for 50 years plus in the soil. No thanks.

Vera

fatamorgana, thanks so much for the link. That I am sure wiil be useful in the future.

Is Mullein technically a weed? I suppose in its small form... yes, it is invasive, eh?

Never grown it myself. :) But that sounds like fun. Just thought I'd mention that the leaves are apparently a decent tea when dried and brewed, however I've not tried that either and they don't smell like they'd be much. lol ;)

I have been told mullein is helpful to take if you have emphysema which I do (never smoked). I do live in a dry climate, however we do get snow and temperatures can get down to 10+ degrees. Can it be successfully grown in this type of climate? Thanks, Sandy

The book I just looked mullein up in says it is a zones 5-9 plant. It also says that it is a native of Europe, North Africa, and Central/West Asia. I would suspect that it is capable of living beyond zone 9 but I would initially try it in a not so blazingly hot part of your yard. I'm sure others that live in very warm climates can comment further.

I have included a link below on mullein (Verbascum thapsus) from the Plants for a Future site. It lists the common herbal uses for mullein.

FataMorgana

Here is a link that might be useful: PFAF Mullein

I always grow the tall mullein, but also have a small stand of thapsus... I guess it doesn't like my soil since it never seeds itself.

I enjoy watching the finches clinging to the tall spikes trying to get every last seed. They do the same with the S. clevelandii.

It is VERY much a weed in these here parts of the dry Inland Northwest!

Here is a link that might be useful: Alien Plant Working Group~Mullein thapsus

Totally off-topic:

Vera, when I first saw your link "Alien Plant Working Group" my first thought was with regards to my post above about "tall plants, looking to her, as tho' they are standing around discussing the state of the economy or something" and . . . the WPA (Work Progress Administration).

I live in the same part of the world as you, Vera. Honestly, I don't look on mullein as a joke. Honestly!

Steve's digits

Here is a link that might be useful: WPA -

You lost me there Steve.

Vera

Well, Vera, you must not be old enuf to remember the jokes about the government jobs with the Works Progress Administration during the Great Depression. Every guy was supposed to be standing around leaning on a shovel, drawing pay.

Alien Plant Working Group, shucks, where did the government come up with that name?!? Sounds like a bunch of guys standing around leaning on shovels (but if they are leaning on a invasive mullein plant - that's okay with me).

The link is to archive material on the WPA and pictures from a play with a song about standing around leaning on a shovel. As I say, really off-topic, sorry.

Steve