Are you a beginner gardener or herbalist who wants to know how to safely and effectively harvest Mullein?
In this post, you will learn how to harvest Mullein ds, flowers, and roots, and then how to use and preserve them. Read on.
More About Mullein
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is considered a noxious weed by some in many parts of the US. However, some grow it as ornamental plants in their flower gardens, while some grow it as herb.
Mullein is a biennial plant. It spends its first year developing a tall, hardy stem and a rosette of dry leaves. The leaves are large, woolly, and soft to the touch. In the following year, Mullein develops a tall stalk of dry mullein leaves and a spike of bright yellow flowers.
Mullein is well-known for its use as a dietary supplement, and is highly valued for its medicinal properties. All parts of the plant are medically useful and have been used to address ear infections, skin ailments, respiratory issues, etc.
Now that you have seen how valuable every part of Mullein is, it is important to learn how to harvest Mullein carefully.
How To Harvest Mullein?
The main parts of the Mullein plant that are harvested are the roots, leaves, and flowers. Each of these parts has its harvest time to maximize its potency.
Generally, harvesting Mullein requires adequate knowledge of the appropriate stage for harvesting and the plant’s growth pattern.Â
For instance, begin harvesting Mullein leaves before the plant blossoms. You should harvest Mullein flowers during the summer when they are in their full bloom.Â
Mullein roots should be harvested either in the plant’s first year during autumn or in the plant’s second year during springtime before the plant develops its flower stalk.
This section focuses on how to harvest every part of the Mullein plant.Â
Harvesting Mullein leaves
As mentioned earlier, the young Mullein spends its first year developing a small rosette of leaves. But in the second year, the plant produces a tall flower stalk with an abundance of leaves, which are large, woolly, and soft to the touch.Â
Hence, the second growing year is the best time to harvest the leaves.Â
However, if you must harvest the leaves during the first year, ensure that you only pluck a few from each rosette.
Keep in mind that these leaves are needed for Mullein to develop a healthy root system in preparation for the second growing year.
Mullein leaves are woolly or fuzzy, which makes it easy to trap dirt and dust. Therefore, always try to keep the leaves from coming in contact with the ground because it is almost impossible to wash the leaves clean.
If possible, mulch around the base of the plant to keep the lower leaves clean. When harvesting the leaves, avoid those at the base of the stalk because they may have trapped dirt and bug droppings.
When harvesting, select healthy, unblemished leaves from the plant. Either with your fingers or scissors, carefully cut the leaves to avoid damage to the plant’s stem.
Harvesting Mullein flowers
Mullein blossoms in the second year, towards the end of its lifecycle. To harvest the bright yellow flowers, gently snip the flower spikes using a pair of scissors or garden shears. Harvest them on the same day they bloom (open).Â
Generally, blossoming starts from the bottom of the flower heads to the top, and multiple flowers can open along the flower stalk at the same time.
You may need to revisit the plant multiple times a day or daily to pluck flowers.
Harvesting Mullein root
Mullein plants have a tap root, which makes harvesting them easy.
To get started, carefully dig around the plant to expose the roots. Then, loosen the soil around the base of the plant using a spade or garden fork.Â
After that, hold the plant firmly but gently pull it out of the soil, taking your time to prevent it from breaking. However, it’s not a big deal if the root breaks; all you need to do is simply dig into the soil to remove the remaining root.
Please note that, unlike Mullein leaves and flowers, you need to wash Mullein roots before using them – this is very important.
Harvesting Mullein seeds
To harvest Mullein seeds, you must wait for the flower stalks until they are completely dry and have turned brown. This is an indication of seed maturity.
Then, cut the dried flower stalks with a pair of scissors or garden shears. Place the stalks upside down in a bag till the seeds fall off.
After collecting the seeds, store them in a cool, dry place until they are ready for use or planting.
Preservation
How you preserve your Mullein will determine the extent of its shelf-life as well as its ability to maintain its medicinal qualities.
Please note that the flowers tend to mold during the drying process. To avoid this, lay them flat in a single layer on an air-drying screen in an area with good airflow.Â
You can also hang them in bunches in an area with good airflow away from direct sunlight. You may need a dehumidifier if you live in a humid climate.
95°F to 115°F (35°C to 46°C) is the optimal drying temperature for the leaves and flowers. Once the leaves are crisp and crumble when touched, they are sufficiently dry.
As for the roots, wash them clean, slice them into thin layers, and spread them on screens to dry them.
Conclusion
We hope that this post will guide you the next time you need to harvest Mullein. Mullein is a beneficial plant with a lot of medicinal applications.
The best time to harvest the leaves is before the plant blossoms. The flowers should be picked only when they are fully bloomed and should be properly dried for use in oils and teas.
The roots should be harvested before the flowering stage and should be washed thoroughly before drying.
By carefully following this guide, you can safely and effectively harvest Mullein to make teas, oil, and tinctures for your herbal remedies or for sharing with others.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Begin harvesting Mullein leaves before the plant blossoms. You should harvest Mullein flowers during the summer when they are in their full bloom. The roots should be harvested either in the plant’s first year during autumn or in the plant’s second year during springtime before the plant develops its flower stalk.
Being a biennial plant, Mullein grows, blossoms, bears seeds, and dies during its second growing year. Hence, it is important to overwinter the plant and preserve its seeds when they are mature in the fall. Harvest the seeds when the flowers are dried and turn brown. To preserve the seeds, store them in a cool, dry place. Well-preserved seeds can remain viable for two years.
