Mullein Verbascum 'Kynaston'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Verbascum 'Kynaston', also commonly known as the Mullein, displays a robust and enchanting appearance. This perennial boasts a basal rosette of deep green, velvety leaves that are thick and elongated with wavy edges. These leaves form a lush, attractive ground cover from which emerges a striking floral spike. The flower spike is densely packed with delicate blooms that have a charming simplicity. Each flower features five rounded petals that are usually soft yellow or cream in color, often with a hint of purple or pink at the center. The stamens are prominent and add an accent with their filamentous, sometimes colorful, hairs. Flowers are arranged in a spiraled pattern up the spike, providing a sequential bloom that enhances the plant's ornamental value over the blooming season. The overall impression of Verbascum 'Kynaston' strikes a balance between rugged foliage and graceful flowers, presenting a plant that is both eye-catching and structurally interesting, without overwhelming the senses.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Scrophulariaceae.
- Synonyms
  Common Mullein, Great Mullein, Woolly Mullein, Velvet Plant, Aaron's Rod, Shepherd's Club.
- Common names
  Verbascum 'Kynaston'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The common name for Verbascum 'Kynaston' is Mullein. Mullein is generally considered to have a low level of toxicity to humans. It has been used traditionally in herbal medicine for various purposes. However, ingesting parts of the plant, especially in large quantities, could lead to some adverse effects due to its saponin and glycoside content. These effects can include irritation of the mucous membranes, coughing, and upset stomach. In most cases, Mullein is not known to cause severe poisoning in humans when touched or ingested in moderate amounts.
- To pets
  Mullein is recognized as being low in toxicity to pets as well. Similar to humans, if pets ingest parts of the Mullein plant, they might experience mild gastrointestinal distress, including vomiting or diarrhea, due to the presence of irritants like saponins. Generally, significant toxicity or severe poisoning from Mullein in pets is not expected, but as with any non-food plant, it is prudent to prevent pets from consuming it to avoid any potential discomfort or health issues.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Biennials
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Yellow
- Height
  4 feet 10 inches (1.47 meters)
- Spread
  1 foot 8 inches (0.51 meters)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  5
- Native area
  Europe

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attracts wildlife – Verbascum 'Kynaston', commonly known as Mullein, can attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to your garden.
- Drought resistance – Once established, Mullein is quite drought-tolerant, making it suitable for xeriscaping or gardens in arid climates.
- Low maintenance – This plant typically requires minimal care once established, making it ideal for gardeners who prefer less hands-on approaches.
- Architectural interest – With its tall spires of flowers and rosette of leaves, Mullein can add height and structure to a garden landscape.
- Year-round interest – Mullein provides visual interest throughout the growing season with its foliage and flowers, and even in winter with its seed stalks.
- Soil adaptability – It can thrive in a variety of soil types, from sandy to loamy, as long as there is good drainage.
- Decorative cut flowers – The flower spikes of Mullein make excellent cut flowers for bouquets and indoor arrangements.
- Non-invasive – Mullein does not tend to spread aggressively, making it a good neighbor to other plants in the garden.
- Erosion control – Its root system can help to stabilize soil and prevent erosion on slopes or in areas prone to degradation.
- Herbaceous border enhancement – Mullein can enhance the appearance of herbaceous borders with its tall and striking floral display.
Medical Properties
- This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Mulch Material: Verbascum 'Kynaston' can be used as a mulch in garden beds to suppress weeds and retain soil moisture once it has died back or been cut down.
- Natural Dye Source: The flowers and leaves of this plant can be boiled to extract a natural dye for coloring fabrics or yarns.
- Companion Planting: It can be planted in vegetable gardens to attract beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings that prey on harmful pests.
- Fire-starting Aid: Dry Verbascum 'Kynaston' leaves can be used as tinder to help start a fire when camping or in an outdoor setting.
- Livestock Fodder: In some regions, this plant may be used as food for livestock, especially when other forage is scarce.
- Photography Props: Due to its attractive blossoms, Verbascum 'Kynaston' can be used as a subject or backdrop in nature photography.
- Floral Arrangements: The tall, spiky form and interesting texture of the flowers and foliage of Verbascum 'Kynaston' add an unusual aspect to cut flower arrangements.
- Sound Insulation: Dried stems and leaves may contribute to creating barriers for sound insulation in eco-friendly construction practices.
- Art Supplies: Children and artists can use the stems for creating natural paintbrushes or for adding structural elements to craft projects.
- Candle Making: The dried, fuzzy leaves and stalks of the plant have been used historically as a wick in candle making due to their flammable nature.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The common mullein is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The common mullein is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Healing: Verbascum, commonly known as mullein, has been used in traditional herbal medicine to treat respiratory ailments and skin conditions, symbolizing healing and recovery.
- Protection: The soft, thick leaves of mullein have been historically used as a protective charm against evil spirits and negative influences.
- Love divination: In folk tradition, mullein was believed to be able to predict the future in matters of love, aiding in divination and foretelling romantic outcomes.
- Courage: Because of its tall, sturdy stalk, mullein can symbolize courage and the ability to stand tall in the face of adversity.
- Purity: The bright yellow flowers of the mullein plant are often associated with brightness and purity, representing innocence and virtue.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every 2-3 years

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

Not needed

Pruning

Water
Mullein, which Verbascum 'Kynaston' is commonly called, requires relatively infrequent watering due to its drought tolerance. It should be watered deeply once the soil has dried out, which could be around once every 1 to 2 weeks, depending on weather conditions and soil type. When you do water, aim to provide about 1 gallon per square foot, to ensure the moisture reaches deep into the root zone. During the hot summer months, you may need to water more frequently, but always check the soil moisture before doing so to avoid overwatering.
Light
Mullein thrives in full sunlight, needing at least 6 hours of direct sun daily. The best location for the plant is in a south-facing position where it can receive ample daylight. If you're growing it indoors, place it near a window that allows generous amounts of sunlight to stimulate its best growth.
Temperature
Mullein is hardy and can withstand cold, growing well in temperatures ranging from about 40 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit. It can survive short periods of frost, but ideally should not be exposed to temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. This plant prefers to grow in conditions that mirror its native habitat, which would be moderate during the growing season with temperatures hovering around the 70-degree Fahrenheit mark.
Pruning
Pruning Mullein is important for maintaining its vigorous growth and appearance. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, can encourage a second bloom and prevent self-seeding, which can lead to excessive spreading. Prune out old foliage in the spring to make way for new growth. Generally, pruning can be done after flowering, typically in late summer or early fall.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Mullein 'Kynaston' thrives in well-draining soil with loam or sandy composition, enriched with compost. Aim for a soil pH between 6.0 and 7.5.
Repotting
Mullein 'Kynaston' does not require frequent repotting; once every 2 to 3 years is sufficient, or when it outgrows its current pot.
Humidity & Misting
Mullein 'Kynaston' is tolerant of dry air and does not require specific humidity levels.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place in bright light, minimal water.
- Outdoor
  Full sun, well-drained soil, little water.
- Hardiness zone
  5-9 USDA
Life cycle
The life cycle of Verbascum 'Kynaston', also known as Mullein, begins with seed germination, typically in spring or early summer, when the soil temperature and moisture levels are suitable for the seeds to sprout. The seedlings develop into a rosette of fuzzy, silvery-green leaves during their first year, remaining in a vegetative state. In their second year, Mulleins enter the flowering stage, producing a tall, erect stem adorned with yellow flowers that attract a variety of pollinators. After flowering, typically in the late summer or early fall, the plant sets seed; the flowers develop into seed capsules containing numerous tiny seeds. The parent plant dies after seeding, completing its biennial life cycle, but the seeds disperse to give rise to new plants the following year. Seed dormancy and environmental cues ensure that Mullein populations continue through subsequent generations.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Propogation: The Verbascum 'Kynaston', commonly known as the Kynaston mullein, can be propagated through seeds primarily. Seed propagation is most successful when the seeds are sown in late winter to early spring. To propagate by seeds, scatter the fine mullein seeds on the surface of a well-drained seed starting mix and gently press them into the medium without covering them, as they require light for germination. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged. Position the seed tray in a warm location with plenty of indirect sunlight and maintain a temperature in the range of 65-70°F (about 18-21°C). Germination usually occurs within 2 to 3 weeks. Once seedlings have developed true leaves and are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into individual pots before eventually planting them out into the garden after the risk of frost has passed.