Mullein Starter Plant – Velvety-Leaved Herb & Pollinator Plant

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a striking biennial herb known for its soft, velvety leaves and tall stalks of yellow flowers. Its distinctive foliage and dramatic second-year growth make it a beautiful addition to herbal gardens, pollinator spaces, cottage gardens, and other sunny growing areas.

Grown with care at Sweet Martha’s Family Farmacy in Alabama, each starter is raised in small batches and shipped well-rooted and ready to continue developing through its natural two-year growth cycle.

Why Grow Mullein?

Mullein brings texture, height, and traditional herbal-garden character to the landscape. In its first year it forms a low rosette of fuzzy, silvery-green leaves. In its second year, an established plant can send up a tall flower stalk covered with small yellow blossoms that attract bees and other pollinators. It’s an especially interesting choice for gardeners who enjoy traditional herbs and plants with a strong visual presence.

Uses & Harvest

Mullein has a long history of use in traditional herbal practices. Gardeners may harvest its leaves and flowers for traditional herbal preparations, while leaving some flowers on the plant provides forage for visiting pollinators.

• Harvest healthy leaves as the plant develops
• Collect flowers as they open during the flowering season
• Leave some blossoms for bees and other pollinators
• Allow mature flower stalks to produce seed if you want to save seed or encourage future plants

Plant Details

Botanical Name: Verbascum thapsus
Light: Full sun
Water: Water regularly while establishing; drought tolerant once established
Growth Habit: Biennial; forms a leaf rosette in its first year and typically flowers in its second
Mature Height: Flower stalks can reach approximately 5–8 feet
Growing Style: In-ground gardens, raised beds, or large, deep containers
Soil: Well-draining soil
Harvest: Leaves can be harvested during vegetative growth; flowers can be collected as they open on mature flowering plants
Garden Tip: Mullein can self-seed when mature flower stalks are allowed to produce and release seeds. Leave seed heads to mature if you want to save seed, or remove spent flower stalks before the seeds mature if you want to limit its spread.

Your Plant Includes

One healthy, well-rooted Mullein starter plant in a small square nursery pot
After-shipping care instructions
Hardening-off and transplanting guidance
Long-term watering and growing instructions
Contact information if you need additional help with your plant

Every starter plant is grown and tended in small batches at Sweet Martha’s Family Farmacy. I only ship strong, healthy plants that I would be happy to grow in my own garden.

Farm Note: Live plants naturally vary in height, fullness, leaf shape, and appearance. Your plant may not look exactly like the plant pictured. This listing is for a starter plant; mature height, flowering, and appearance will develop as the plant grows through its biennial life cycle.