Wondering how to harvest your own mullein for tea? Whether it shows up wild or you grow it intentionally, mullein is one of the easiest—and most effective—herbs to harvest and preserve for respiratory support.
It’s also one of my Top 20 Medicinal Herbs to grow or forage for your home apothecary.
On my 5-acre homestead in northern Michigan, we use mullein tea year-round, especially during fall and winter when the sniffles and dry coughs start rolling in.
I actually bought mullein seeds a few years ago with plans to plant them in our herb garden.
But funny enough, I never had to—once we cleared trees to expand our permaculture orchard and create more growing space, wild mullein started popping up everywhere.
Here’s how I harvest and dry both the leaves and flowers of mullein for tea—plus a few personal tips to make sure your homemade brew is smooth, effective, and shelf-stable.
What Is Mullein? Why We Use It for Tea
Mullein (Verbascum thapsus) is a soft, fuzzy-leaved plant that thrives in dry, sunny, and often disturbed soil.
In its second year of growth, it sends up a tall yellow flower spike that’s hard to miss.
Both its leaves and flowers can be dried and used for tea to support the lungs, calm a scratchy throat, and ease seasonal respiratory issues.
It’s one of those “weeds” that’s actually a generous herbal ally—perfect for wild foraging or growing in your home apothecary garden.
When to Harvest Mullein for Tea
For Leaves:
- Best time of day: Morning, after dew has dried
- Best season: Late spring through mid-summer (before flower stalks develop)
For Flowers:
- Best time of day: Morning on dry, sunny days
- Best season: Mid to late summer, as new flowers bloom daily along the stalk
Mullein is a biennial, meaning it has a 2-year life cycle. In its first year, it grows a low rosette of leaves; in the second, it sends up a tall flowering stalk.
You can harvest leaves during either year, though first-year leaves tend to be more tender and mild.
How to Harvest Mullein Leaves for Tea (Step-by-Step)
Choose a clean site
Avoid roadsides, sprayed fields, or polluted soil. Mullein absorbs toxins from its environment.
Pick healthy leaves
Look for soft, gray-green leaves free of mildew, pest damage, or yellowing.
Snip, don’t strip
Use scissors or snips to cut just a few leaves from each plant. Don’t overharvest—leave enough for the plant to thrive and reseed naturally.
Handle gently
Mullein leaves have tiny hairs that might irritate your skin if disturbed. Shake off insects, and avoid rubbing your eyes after handling.
How to Harvest Mullein Flowers for Tea
Mullein flowers are delicate and aromatic, and they bloom just a few at a time up the tall stalk.
- Check plants every day or two for fresh, open blossoms
- Pinch or snip off individual yellow flowers early in the day
- Lay flat to dry immediately—they wilt quickly and should not be left in a pile
How to Dry Mullein Properly
Leaves:
- Spread out on a drying rack, screen, paper bag, or shallow cardboard box
- Keep in a warm, well-ventilated area out of direct sunlight
- Turn occasionally for even drying
- Drying time: 5–7 days, or until fully crisp
I like to dry mine in a short cardboard box placed in our garage.
I leave both garage doors open during the day for good airflow, and I shake the box and move the leaves around once or twice a day to help the leaves dry evenly without molding.
Flowers:
- Drys quickly—often within 2–3 days
- Store separately to preserve fragrance and color
Store all dried parts in airtight jars away from heat and light. Label with the date and plant part.
How to Make Mullein Tea (Without the Scratchiness)
Mullein tea is naturally soothing—but those fuzzy hairs can be irritating if not strained out well. Here’s how to make a smooth, effective cup.
(If you’re new to herbal tea-making, you’ll love this post on How to Brew Herbal Tea.)
Basic Mullein Tea Recipe:
- 1–2 tsp dried mullein leaves (or a blend of leaves + flowers)
- Pour over 8 oz boiling water
- Cover and steep 10–15 minutes
- Strain thoroughly through a coffee filter, muslin bag, or very fine mesh
- Add raw honey or lemon if desired
We sip this at the first sign of any type of sickness throughout the cold season. I always keep a jar tucked in our herbal drawer for winter wellness.
Want to Track Your Herbal Tea Harvests Like a Pro?
Making your own tea blends, tinctures, and herbal remedies is one of the most practical homesteading skills you can develop—especially when it supports your family’s wellness using herbs you grow or forage yourself.
When I harvest and dry herbs like mullein, calendula, or mint, I log everything in my Herbal Home Apothecary Logbook & Planner. It helps me keep track of:
- Harvest dates, drying methods, and storage notes
- My favorite tea blends and seasonal infusions
- What worked (and what didn’t) for the year
- Long-term apothecary planning through all four seasons
Grab your copy below and start building your own herbal record-keeping routine that grows with your homestead.
FAQs
Can you boil fresh mullein leaves for tea?
Yes, you can use fresh mullein leaves for tea, but they’re much harder to strain and often produce a scratchier texture due to the fine hairs. If using fresh leaves, be sure to strain the tea through a coffee filter or muslin cloth to avoid throat irritation. Drying the leaves first is preferred for smoother, longer-lasting results.
When should you not drink mullein tea?
It’s best to avoid mullein tea if you have a known allergy to the plant, or if you’re pregnant or breastfeeding and haven’t yet spoken with your healthcare provider, or if you’re on medications that interact with herbs. While generally safe, always talk with a qualified herbalist or practitioner before using it regularly, especially for children or those with chronic conditions.
How many times can you reuse mullein tea?
Mullein tea is best used once per steeping. Unlike some green or oolong teas, the herbal properties in mullein are largely extracted during the first steep. Reusing mullein may result in a weak tea and is not recommended, especially if you’re using it for respiratory support.
How long does mullein leaf tea last?
Freshly brewed mullein tea lasts up to 24–48 hours in the refrigerator. For best results, store it in a sealed glass jar and consume it cold or gently reheated. Dried mullein leaves, once properly stored, retain their potency for up to 1 year.
How do you harvest mullein seeds?
Mullein seeds develop in small pods along the dried flower stalk late in the second year. Wait until the stalk has turned brown and pods feel dry and brittle. Clip the stalk and set it upside down in a paper bag so the seeds can naturally drop as the pods dry out. Shake gently to release the seeds. Be cautious—mullein seeds are tiny and easily lost to wind or animals if harvested too early.
Final Thoughts
Mullein has become a staple in our homestead apothecary—not because I planned it, but because it thrived when we made room for it. It’s a resilient, useful herb that’s easy to work with and a comfort to have on hand when cold season hits.
Want to grow your herbal pantry?
Explore my Top 20 Medicinal Herbs to forage or grow this season.
