It thrives in soil too poor for many plants. It is a biennal plant forming a rosette of fuzzy lance shaped leaves the first year. The second year it produces a central stalk which may grow to 9 feet in the wild. It has more fuzzy lance shaped leaves on the lower portion, and bright yellow flowers on the upper part of the stalk. After the flowers fall, seed pods set on on the stalk and it can be dried for decorations.
Culture is simple.
Seeds should be planted after the danger of frost has passed with germination taking place in around ten days. Once established a stand of mullien readily re-seeds itself. The rosette grows for the first year and then the plant blooms in May or June of the next season. Leaves can be dried any time for teas for colds and lung disorders. The blossoms are plucked fresh and steeped in warm oil.