Lychnitis boerhavii Plant Care
Lychnitis boerhavii Fourr.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Verbascum boerhavii, the annual mullein, is a species of flowering plant in the family Scrophulariaceae, native to Spain, France, and Italy. It has been traditionally used as a treatment for haemorrhoids.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Lychnitis boerhavii?
Water Lychnitis boerhavii every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Lychnitis boerhavii?
Lychnitis boerhavii (Lychnitis boerhavii) belongs to the Scrophulariaceae family within the Lychnitis genus. Lychnitis boerhavii is native to Spain, France, and Italy.
Lychnitis boerhavii displays an upright, spreading perennial growth habit, reaching up to 2 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Lychnitis boerhavii produces tubular flowers in shades of pink, purple, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Lychnitis boerhavii?
Lychnitis boerhavii requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Lychnitis boerhavii Need?
Lychnitis boerhavii thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Lychnitis boerhavii Prefer?
Lychnitis boerhavii grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Lychnitis boerhavii prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Lychnitis boerhavii?
Well-draining loamy soil with added organic matter for moisture retention. Good drainage is essential for Lychnitis boerhavii to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Lychnitis boerhavii?
Feed Lychnitis boerhavii every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Lychnitis boerhavii?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Lychnitis boerhavii?
Lychnitis boerhavii can be propagated through seeds, division of clumps.
Is the Lychnitis boerhavii Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Lychnitis boerhavii, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Lychnitis boerhavii?
Lychnitis boerhavii is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, leafhoppers. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Lychnitis boerhavii Need?
Lychnitis boerhavii grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Lychnitis boerhavii is native to Spain, France, and Italy. In cooler regions, grow Lychnitis boerhavii as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Lychnitis boerhavii is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Lychnitis genus (family Scrophulariaceae) — search all Lychnitis species in the plant lookup.
Lychnitis boerhavii thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Lychnitis boerhavii Fourr., family Scrophulariaceae (first published in Ann. Soc. Linn. Lyon , n.s., 17: 125 (1869)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Lychnitis boerhavii, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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