Olympic mullein (Verbascum olympicum)
Care, watering, light and tips for Olympic mullein on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Scrophulariaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Olympic mullein
Verbascum olympicum, also known as Olympic Mullein or 'tyrkerkongslys' in Norwegian, is a striking biennial or short-lived perennial forming a basal rosette of large, woolly leaves, from which a spectacular flowering stalk emerges. It can reach heights of up to 2 meters, adorned with numerous bright yellow cup-shaped flowers, making it a majestic focal point in garden borders, gravel gardens, or as a background plant. Its presence adds dramatic verticality and a wild touch to sunny landscapes.
Native range
Turkey and Greece
Care tips
This plant requires full sun for optimal flowering and well-drained soils, preferably sandy or stony, as it is highly susceptible to root rot in heavy, wet soils. Watering should be moderate, allowing the substrate to dry out completely between waterings, and almost none once established, as it is quite drought-tolerant. Avoid over-fertilization, as this can promote leafy growth at the expense of flowering and make the plant more prone to toppling.
How to save a dying Olympic mullein
- Warning signs
- Yellowish and soft basal leaves, drooping stems, sparse or no flowering, indicating excess moisture or poor drainage.
- First aid
- Remove affected leaves, check drainage, space out watering. If potted, consider repotting into one with better drainage.
- What kills it
- Overwatering or heavy, clayey soil retaining too much water, leading to root rot.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly. It needs full sun and very well-drained, almost sandy soil. It's drought-tolerant.