Overview
Verbascum chaixii is a biennial, short-lived perennial, upright, tall flower spikes perennial in the genus Verbascum, part of the Scrophulariaceae family, with green, grey-green, silvery white, softly hairy foliage. Verbascum chaixii grows best in full sun, and tolerates most soils and neutral and alkaline pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H6. Suggested uses include borders, gravel gardens and wildlife-friendly plantings. It is native to Austria, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Czechia-Slovakia, East European Russia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan and Krym.
About
Verbascum chaixii, the nettle-leaved mullein, is a species of flowering plant in the genus Verbascum, native to Spain, France, Italy, the former Yugoslavia, and Greece. It is considered a good plant to attract pollinators.
Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Verbascum chaixii
About the genus
Verbascum is a genus of over 450 species of flowering plants, common name mullein, in the figwort family Scrophulariaceae. They are native to Europe and Asia, with the highest species diversity in the Mediterranean.
Wikipedia contributors, "Verbascum", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Verbascum
Growing conditions
Best soil and position for Verbascum
- Sunlight
- Full sun
- Soil type
- Chalk, Loam, Sand
- Soil pH
- Neutral, Alkaline
- Soil moisture
- Well-drained, Dry
- Aspect
- South-facing, West-facing
- Exposure
- Exposed
- UK hardiness
- H6
Plant details
Verbascum chaixii size, habit and characteristics
- Plant type
- perennial
- Habit
- Biennial, Short-lived perennial, Upright, Tall flower spikes
- Foliage
- Green, Grey-green, Silvery white, Softly hairy
- Suggested uses
- Borders, Gravel gardens, Wildlife-friendly plantings
- Native to
- Austria, Bulgaria, Central European Russia, Czechia-Slovakia, East European Russia, France, Greece, Hungary, Italy, Kazakhstan, Kirgizstan, Krym
Care notes
Pruning and caring for Verbascum chaixii
- Cultivation
- Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established; avoid waterlogged conditions
- Pruning
- Deadhead spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming; cut back after flowering to maintain shape
- Propagation
- Seed, Self-seeding, Root cuttings
- Pest resistance
- Mullein moth caterpillar, Verbascum weevil
- Disease resistance
- Powdery mildew
Frequently asked questions
How do I grow Verbascum chaixii?
Prefers full sun and well-drained soil; drought tolerant once established; avoid waterlogged conditions.
Where is the best place to plant Verbascum chaixii?
Verbascum chaixii prefers full sun. It suits exposed positions.
What soil does Verbascum chaixii need?
Verbascum chaixii is adaptable and grows happily in most soil types, including chalk, loam and sand. It prefers neutral and alkaline soil. Aim for soil that stays well-drained to dry.
How do I prune Verbascum chaixii?
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage prolonged blooming; cut back after flowering to maintain shape.
Is Verbascum chaixii hardy in the UK?
Verbascum chaixii has an RHS hardiness rating of H6, meaning it is very hardy, tolerating -20 to -15°C across most of the UK.
How do I propagate Verbascum chaixii?
Seed, Self-seeding, Root cuttings.
From the Fenn Plants journal
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- Keeping Your NerveHow to garden through a heatwave — the best time to water, why deep soaks beat daily sprinkles, caring for pots and vulnerable plants, and why you can let the lawn go brown.
- Made to LastHow to clean, store and protect garden pots and planters — the frost-proof vs frost-resistant difference, winter care for terracotta and ceramic, and how to reuse a broken pot.
More in the Verbascum genus
- Verbascum bombyciferumBroussa mullein
- Verbascum nigrum subsp. nigrumBlack Mullein
- Verbascum olympicumOlympian mullein
- Verbascum olympicum 'Album'Greek Mullein
- Verbascum phoeniceumpurple mullein
- Verbascum phoeniceum 'Gainsborough'Mullein
- Verbascum phoeniceum 'Lilac Domino'Mullein
- Verbascum phoeniceum 'Pink Domino'Mullein