How to Collect Mullein Seeds: A Complete Guide for Beginners

Mullein is a common herb found throughout North America, Europe, and Asia. It has been used medicinally for centuries, and many herbalists prize mullein for its soothing, mucus-clearing, and inflammatory properties.

While mullein leaves and flowers are most commonly used, the tiny seeds inside mullein’s seed pods also have value. Mullein seeds can be used to propagate more mullein plants, or can be infused in oil to make mullein ear drops.

Collecting mullein seeds is easy and fun. In this complete guide for beginners, I’ll walk you through when and how to harvest mullein seeds, how to separate and clean the seeds, and how to store mullein seeds for later use

When to Harvest Mullein Seeds

Mullein is a biennial plant, meaning it takes two years to complete its lifecycle. The first year, mullein grows only a low rosette of fuzzy leaves. It’s in the second year that mullein sends up its tall flowering stalk, growing up to 8 feet tall!

The pretty yellow flowers that cover the tall mullein stalks bloom from June through September. Once the flowers fade, they leave behind green, egg-shaped seed pods. Inside each pod are hundreds of tiny mullein seeds.

The ideal time to harvest mullein seeds is when the seed pods start to turn brown and rattle when you shake them This indicates that the seeds are mature Picking pods before they are completely mature results in fewer viable seeds,

On the other hand wait too long and the pods will burst open, scattering the seeds. Check your mullein plants every few days as the pods ripen to catch them at just the right moment.

How to Harvest Mullein Seed Pods

To collect mullein seeds, you’ll harvest the entire mature seed pods. Use gardening snips or scissors to cut the pods off the central stalk, leaving a bit of stem attached to each pod.

Handle the pods gently to avoid crushing them and spilling the seeds. Place the cut pods in a paper bag or envelope to transport them back home.

If the pods are still greenish when you harvest, you can allow them to continue ripening indoors. Lay the cut pods out on paper towels or newspaper in a single layer, then allow them to air dry for 1-2 weeks. Once completely brown and brittle, they are ready for seed extraction.

Expect each tall mullein plant to produce 100-300 seed pods. Five to ten plants will give you plenty of seeds for replanting as well as extra for medicinal uses.

Extracting and Cleaning Mullein Seeds

Once fully dried, the mullein pods will easily split open, allowing you to remove the seeds inside. Simply rub the pods between your hands over a large bowl or sheet of paper to catch the tiny seeds as they are released.

Some seeds will stick inside the pods, so it can help to use your fingers to lightly pry the pods open. Break apart any clumps of seeds to separate them.

Mullein seeds benefit from further cleaning before storage. To remove any remaining plant debris or undeveloped seeds, pour the seeds onto a fine mesh sieve or strainer. Gently shake and bounce the strainer to allow broken material to pass through.

You can also try winnowing the seeds. Pour a small amount at a time from one bowl to another in front of a fan or outside on a breezy day. The chaff and lightweight seeds will blow away while the heavy, viable seeds will drop straight down into your bowl.

Storing Mullein Seeds

Properly stored, mullein seeds will remain viable for several years. The goal is to keep them cool, dry, and protected from light and pests.

Glass jars make ideal containers for storing seeds. Fill a jar about halfway with seeds, then place a packet of silica gel desiccant inside before sealing the lid. Store the jar of seeds in a cool, dark place like the refrigerator.

You can also use paper envelopes or cloth bags to store seeds in a cool, dry, dark location. Simply place the entire harvested mullein pods in the bags and allow them to continue drying for a couple of weeks before opening them to extract the seeds.

No matter how you store them, it’s smart to label mullein seed containers with the plant name and year harvested. Add newly collected seeds to your supply each year to maintain viability.

How to Use Harvested Mullein Seeds

Adding mullein plants to your medicinal herb garden or wildscape is a prime use of harvested seeds. Simply sprinkle them atop prepared soil in late fall or early spring and gently water. A sunny area with well-draining soil is ideal. The tiny seeds won’t need to be buried; light will help them germinate.

You can also infuse mullein seeds in oil to make mullein ear oil, a popular home remedy for earaches. Place a tablespoon of seeds in a glass jar, then cover with olive oil. Allow the infusion to brew in a cool, dark place for 4-6 weeks before straining and decanting the oil.

Finally, you can prepare mullein seed tea as another medicinal use of the seeds. Steep 1-2 teaspoons of seeds in hot water for 10 minutes. Mullein seed tea has a slightly bitter, astringent taste akin to green tea. Drink it to potentially benefit respiratory function, inflammation, and more.

Enjoy the Benefits of Homegrown Mullein Seeds

Adding mullein’s beautiful towers of yellow blossoms to your landscape is reward enough for growing this medicinal herb. But harvesting the abundance of seeds they produce is like the icing on the cake.

With this guide to collecting mullein seeds, you’ll be ready to reap a bountiful supply. A little time and care during the harvesting and processing steps will ensure you have plenty of viable seeds for continuing to expand your mullein patch year after year.