Photo: Franz Xaver, CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Pruning guide · Perennial
Purple mullein: when and how to prune
Verbascum phoeniceum
Purple mullein is best pruned in July.
| Pruning months | July |
|---|---|
| Flowering | May–July |
| Good for bees, butterflies and birds | Yes, for bees |
| Native to Belgium | No, planted |
Purple mullein: when to prune it?
After the first flowering, in July, with a tidy-up in February–March.
What else to prune in those months? July
Purple mullein: how to prune it?
- Cut the faded spikes back to just above the rosette or below the lowest flower; side shoots often flower again.
- Leave a few spikes standing if you want seed.
- Remove the dead stems in late spring.
How much to cut, and how often?
- One pruning period a year: July.
What does it mean for wildlife?
- Purple mullein flowers in May–July, when it attracts bees.
- If pruning falls during flowering, wait until it is over or leave part of the plant to flower, so bees and butterflies still benefit.
Caution: It seeds itself freely and hybridises with other mulleins: cut off the spikes before the seed ripens if you do not want seedlings.
Nearby: related pruning guides
Plant profile: Purple mullein · Pruning calendar and basic rules
This guide is compiled from the Bladwijzer plant profile and pruning calendar.