Native Plant Alternatives to Verbascum thapsus (Common Mullein)

Verbascum thapsus, commonly known as common mullein, is considered an invasive species in many parts of the world, including parts of North America. Native to Europe, northern Africa, and Asia, it was introduced to the United States in the 18th century.

Common mullein can grow in a wide variety of habitats but is most commonly found in sunny, disturbed areas such as fields, roadsides, and forest clearings. It has a two-year lifecycle, producing a rosette of leaves in the first year and a tall flower spike in the second.

Although common mullein does not typically form dense stands that exclude other vegetation, it can be a problem in areas where the natural vegetation has been disturbed or where it’s left uncontrolled. It reproduces solely by seeds, which can remain viable in the soil for many years, making it difficult to eradicate once established.

Common mullein is listed in the Invasive Plant Atlas of the United States.

According to the U.S Forest Service, Invasive species have contributed to the decline of 42% of U.S. endangered and threatened species and 18% of U.S. endangered or threatened species. Invasive species compete directly with native species for moisture, sunlight, nutrients, and space. They displace and alter native plant communities, degrade wildlife habitat and water quality, and potentially lead to increased soil erosion.

The federal government has estimated that nearly 25 percent of the 20,000 plant species native to North America are at risk of extinction, many of these through habitat loss. You can help reverse this trend by planting great native plants in your garden.

A plant is considered native if it occurs naturally in a particular region or ecosystem without human introduction. There are many benefits to growing native plants. First, these plants are better adapted to soils, moisture, and weather than exotic plants that evolved in other parts of the world. They need fewer fertilizers and pesticides or use less water. Second, they are unlikely to escape and become invasive, destroying natural habitats. Third, they support wildlife, providing shelter and food for native birds and insects, while exotic plants do not.