Mullein

Category: medicinal-herbs

Growing

  • 📍 Zone: 3-9
  • 🌞 Sun: Full sun
  • 💧 Water: Low to moderate; drought tolerant once established
  • 🌱 Soil: Prefers well-draining soil; tolerates poor, rocky soils

Planting

  • 📏 Height: 3-6 feet
  • 📏 Spacing: 18-24 inches apart
  • 📅 When To Plant: Sow seeds in spring or fall; seeds need light to germinate so surface sow
  • 🌱 Propagation: Primarily by seed; can self-seed readily
  • ⬇️ Depth: Surface sow, do not cover seeds
  • 🤝 Companion:
    • 0: Comfrey (both benefit from similar growing conditions)
    • 1: Lavender (can share well-draining soil preferences)
  • 🚫 Avoid Planting Near:

    Care & Maintenance

    • ✂️ Pruning: Remove spent flower stalks to prevent unwanted self-seeding
    • 🪢 Staking Or Support: Usually not needed; tall flower stalks may benefit from staking in windy areas
    • ❄️ Overwintering: Perennial in warmer zones; biennial in colder zones, often self-seeds to maintain presence

    Harvesting & Usage

    • ⏰ When To Harvest: Harvest leaves before flowering for medicinal use; flower tops collected when in bloom
    • ✋ How To Harvest: Pick mature leaves and flowers during dry weather; leaves can be harvested multiple times
    • 🥫 Preservation: Air dry leaves and flowers in a shaded, well-ventilated area; store in airtight containers
    • ⚠️ Edible Or Toxic: Non-toxic; leaves are edible when cooked but are very hairy and can irritate the throat if eaten raw
    • 🍴 Culinary: Leaves are generally not used due to texture but young leaves can be cooked like spinach
    • 💊 Medicinal:
      • Respiratory Support: Traditionally used as a remedy for coughs, bronchitis, and congestion. Leaves and flowers are used in teas, tinctures, or infused oils to soothe the respiratory tract and reduce inflammation.
      • Anti-inflammatory: Applied topically in infused oils or salves to soothe skin irritations, burns, wounds, and hemorrhoids due to its anti-inflammatory and demulcent properties.
      • Ear Infections: Infused oils of mullein flowers are sometimes used as ear drops for earache relief.
      • Diuretic: Has mild diuretic properties, supporting kidney health and detoxification.
    • 🌸 Aromatic: Mild, slightly herbal scent; not strongly aromatic but pleasant when dried

    Ecological Info

    • 🐝 Pollinators:
      • 0: Bees
      • 1: Butterflies
      • 2: Moths
    • 🦌 Wildlife Resistance: Generally avoided by deer and rabbits due to leaf texture