Common Mullein
Verbascum thapsus
- Native to:
- Afghanistan, Austria, Azores, Baleares, Baltic States, Belarus, Belgium, China, Corse, Czechia-Slovakia, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Hungary, Iran, Ireland, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Krym, Nepal, Netherlands, North Caucasus, Norway, NW. Balkan Pen., Pakistan, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Ukraine
Fischer.H
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Scrophulariaceae
- Genus:
- Verbascum
- Species:
- Verbascum thapsus
- USDA Symbol:
- VETH
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Biennial
- Growth Habit:
- Forb/herb
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- High
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Caterpillars:
- ★★☆☆☆ Recorded caterpillar host plant (HOSTS Database)
Host Plant for Caterpillars
Abagrotis variata, dingy cutworm (Feltia jaculifera), Eversmann's rustic (Actebia fennica), Melanchra assimilis, Old Man Dart (Agrotis vetusta), stalk borer moth (Papaipema nebris), verbena bud moth (Endothenia hebesana), Variable checkerspot (Euphydryas chalcedona)
Reported Fauna Sightings
Bees: Black and (Bombus auricomus), Central bumble bee (Bombus centralis), Common eastern (Bombus impatiens), Northern amber (Bombus borealis), Red-belted bumble (Bombus rufocinctus), 🛑Rusty-patched bumble (Bombus affinis), Tri-colored bumble (Bombus ternarius), Two-form bumble bee (Bombus bifarius), Two-spotted bumble (Bombus bimaculatus), Western bumble bee (Bombus occidentalis), Yellow head bumble bee (Bombus flavifrons), Yellow-faced bumble bee (Bombus vosnesenskii)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, birds
- Deer Resistant:
- Yes
- Fire Ecology:
- Fire adapted — tolerates or benefits from fire
- Fire Notes:
- Colonizes disturbed and burned areas; seeds may germinate prolifically after fire exposes mineral soil.
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- poor, sandy, well-drained soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- dry to moderate
- Notes:
- thrives in disturbed soils and open areas
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Seeds require light for germination; do not cover. Seeds can remain viable in soil for decades.
The above propagation data sourced from Claude AI
ORGHPS Germination Guide: Sow @ 20C. Germinates within 3 months.