Greek Mullein Seeds

Common Names
Greek Mullein, Olympic Mullein.

Botanical Name
Verbascum olympicum

Plant Family
Scrophulariaceae (Figwort Family)

Life Cycle
Biennial

Native Range
Europe, especially the Mediterranean. Asia, Africa.

Hardiness Zone
4-9

Habit
To 9ft tall. A mullein of Olympic proportions! In the second year, it sends up a huge, branching spikes of golden-yellow flowers. The light grey-green leaves and flower spike stalks are coated in a thick soft down.

Sun/Soil
Full sun, well-drained soil. 

Germination/Sowing
The seeds a very tiny and can be sown outdoors on the surface of the soil in fall or early spring, or started in flats and kept evenly moist until germination.

Growing/Care 
Mullein is very drought tolerant. It does not need staking as it holds itself up just fine. The spend flowers can be cut back, or the entire plant pulled after flowering to prevent self-seeding. 

Harvesting
The leaves can be harvested in the first or second summer, the flowers in bloom, and the roots in the fall of the first year only.

Culinary Uses
The flowers could be added to salads or used as a garnish.

Medicinal Uses
In the apothecary Mullein has an affinity for the lungs and the bones. The tea or tincture made from the leaves can be used as a respiratory tonic, and is especially good for dry hoarse coughs, bronchitis, asthma, and wheezing and tightness in the lungs. It is energetically cooling and moist and helps to calm inflammation and promote fluid production to clear the lungs.

Mullein is magic for the muscular skeletal system to which it also lends its cool moist nature, soothing and lubricating stiff and inflamed joints and helping to bring the spine in alignment. It is a bit of a nervine as well and the flower tincture is helpful for irritability and nerve related tension. 

Themes
Attracts Pollinators, Deer Resistant, Apothecary Garden, Drought Tolerant, Low Maintenance, Cut flowers.