Not the plant you're looking for? Search over 300,000 plants
Herbaceous Perennial

Verbascum phoeniceum
  • RHS Plants for pollinators

purple mullein

a rosette-forming biennial or short-lived perennial with dark green basal leaves to 15cm long. In late spring and early summer it produces tall, airy spires of saucer-shaped, white, pink or purple flowers

Synonyms
Verbascum phoeniceum wild form
Verbascum atroviolaceum
see moreCelsia rechingeri
Celsia atroviolaceae
Buy this plant
Size
Ultimate height
0.5–1 metres
Time to ultimate height
1–2 years
Ultimate spread
0.1–0.5 metres
Growing conditions
Chalk
Loam
Sand
Moisture
Well–drained
pH
Alkaline
Colour & scent
StemFlowerFoliageFruit
Spring Green
Summer Pink Purple White Green
Autumn Green
Winter Green
Position
  • Full sun
Aspect

West–facing or South–facing

Exposure
Exposed or Sheltered
Drought resistance
Yes
Hardiness
H6
Botanical details
Family
Scrophulariaceae
Native to the UK
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Columnar upright
Genus

Verbascum can be annuals, biennials, perennials or subshrubs mostly with hairy leaves and 5-petalled, saucer-shaped flowers

Name status

Correct

Plant range
C Europe to W Asia

How to grow

Cultivation

Grow in alkaline, poor, well-drained soil in a sunny position

Propagation

Propagate by division in spring or take root cuttings in winter

Suggested planting locations and garden types
  • City and courtyard gardens
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Gravel garden
  • Flower borders and beds
Pruning

Remove faded flower spikes

Pests

May be susceptible to caterpillars and figwort weevil

Diseases

May be susceptible to powdery mildews

Get involved

The Royal Horticultural Society is the UK’s leading gardening charity. We aim to enrich everyone’s life through plants, and make the UK a greener and more beautiful place.