Mullein (Versbascum thapsus)

Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a striking and useful plant with large, soft, velvety leaves that form a low rosette in its first year, followed in its second year by a tall flower stalk topped with hundreds of small yellow flowers. The dramatic flower head is not only beautiful and attractive to pollinators, but historically, once dried and dipped in wax or tallow, it was used as a torch—hence one of its old common names: Torch Plant or Candlewick Plant.

Mullein leaves have a long tradition of medicinal use. When properly dried and prepared as a tea (and carefully strained), they are commonly used as a gentle lung decongestant, helping to soothe coughs and respiratory irritation. The plant prefers sunny, well-drained soils and is often found growing in disturbed or poor soils, where it plays a role in soil restoration. Mullein is a biennial that readily self-seeds and can become a familiar and welcome presence in the garden when allowed to grow.

At least 200 seeds per packet.