Common Mullein

Verbascum thapsus

-15

Harmful

Not native to Louisiana. How scores work Is it native here?

Profile 65%

Height: 3–10 feet
Spread: 2–3 feet
Light: Full sun
Soil moisture: Dry to average

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Do not plant. Listed invasive in Louisiana.

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Narrowleaf Sunflower
Helianthus angustifolius
Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Usually moist. Flowers: Yellow.
Similar growth form, height, spread
Tall Goldenrod
Solidago altissima
Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Dry to average. Flowers: Yellow.
Similar growth form, height, flower color
Wrinkle-leaf Goldenrod
Solidago rugosa
Sun: Full sun, Partial shade. Soil: Somewhat dry to moist. Flowers: Yellow.
Similar growth form, spread, flower color

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At a glance

Life cycle: Biennial
Leaves: Semi-evergreen or evergreen

Not yet recorded · Bloom

Recorded in 37 Louisiana parishes.

Ecological relationships

Who uses this plant?

What these records mean

8CaterpillarsGenus host records with ranges including LA

Genus host records with ranges including LA · Verbascum

Endothenia hebesanaVerbena Bud Moth
Feltia jaculiferaDingy Cutworm
Papaipema nebrisStalk Borer
Platynota flavedanaBlack-Shaded Platynota
Spodoptera frugiperdaFall Armyworm Moth
Strymon melinusGray Hairstreak
Trichopolia oviducaRuddy Quaker
Xestia dolosaGreater Black-Letter Dart, Greater Spotted Cutworm

Shropshire & Tallamy 2025, Lepidoptera of North America north of Mexico, ZooKeys 1261 (ODbL)

—BeesSoutheastern regional records

—Specialist beesPollen specialists

—BirdsRecorded genus food-resource interactions; not a state feeding claim

Growing and identification

Plant details

Family: Scrophulariaceae
Hardiness: Zones 3a–9b
Soil pH: Acidic to neutral
Flower color: Yellow

What its natural habitat tells you

Safety has not been reviewed for this plant; check toxicity and thorns before planting.

Growing sources and scope

Flower color · “Yellow” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Hardiness · “Zones 3a–9b” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Height · “3–10 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox (ranked first; Fire Effects Information System: Verbascum thapsus, Minnesota Wildflowers differ)
Leaves · “Semi-evergreen or evergreen” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Life cycle · “Biennial” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Light · “Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
primary_flower_color · “yellow” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil · “Occasionally dry” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Soil pH · “Acidic to neutral” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox
Spread · “2–3 feet” · NC Extension Plant Toolbox

Also known as

Woolly Mullein

Conservation status

Louisiana rank	SNA
Global rank	GNR
LA status	Not verified
Federal status	Not verified

Conservation source Global and federal source