How To Grow Lemon Verbena

If you love the bright, lemony scent of fresh herbs, learning how to grow lemon verbena is a fantastic project. This tender perennial shrub is prized for its flavorful leaves, perfect for teas and cooking, and with the right care, it can thrive in your garden or in a pot.

Success with this herb starts with understanding its basic needs. Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is native to South America, which means it loves warmth and sunshine. It’s not frost-hardy, so in many climates, it’s best treated as a container plant that you can move indoors when it gets cold. Don’t worry, though—its growth habits are straightforward once you get the hang of it.

Choosing the Right Plant and Location

You can start lemon verbena from seed, but it’s notoriously slow and tricky. For most gardeners, purchasing a small plant from a nursery is the easiest and fastest way to begin. Look for a plant with vibrant green leaves and no signs of pests like whiteflies or webbing.

The single most important factor for growing lemon verbena is sunlight. This plant needs a full sun location to produce the most aromatic oils in its leaves.

Outdoor Planting: Choose a spot that gets at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sun daily. The soil must be well-draining.
Container Planting: This is often the best method. Use a pot that is at least 12 inches wide with good drainage holes. You can move it to follow the sun or bring it inside.

Planting and Soil Requirements

Lemon verbena isn’t too picky about soil pH, but it despises “wet feet.” Soggy roots will quickly lead to rot. The goal is to create a growing environment that mimics its native habitat.

For garden beds, amend heavy clay soil with compost or coarse sand to improve drainage.
For pots, use a high-quality potting mix. You can add a handful of perlite or extra compost to ensure it drains quickly.
When planting, set the plant at the same depth it was in its nursery pot. Gently firm the soil around it and water well to settle.

Watering Your Lemon Verbena Correctly

Watering is where many new gardeners make a mistake. Lemon verbena likes consistent moisture, especially when young and during hot weather, but it must dry out somewhat between waterings.

Here’s a simple check: Stick your finger about an inch into the soil. If it feels dry, it’s time to water. If it’s still damp, wait another day. Overwatering will cause leaves to turn yellow and drop. Underwatering will cause them to dry out, curl, and also drop.

Plants in containers will need water more frequently than those in the ground. During winter, when growth slows, reduce watering significantly.

Feeding for Lush Growth

Lemon verbena isn’t a heavy feeder, but it does benefit from some nutrition to support its leafy growth. A balanced, all-purpose fertilizer works well.

In spring, as new growth emerges, apply a slow-release granular fertilizer around the base of the plant.
For potted plants, you can use a half-strength liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the active growing season (spring through summer).
Stop fertilizing by late summer to allow the plant to harden off before winter.

Pruning and Shaping Your Plant

Regular pruning is essential for keeping your lemon verbena bushy and productive. If left unpruned, it can become leggy and woody. The good news is that pruning means more harvest for you!

Pinch off the tips of growing stems regularly to encourage branching.
Don’t be afraid to cut back up to one-third of the plant in mid-summer to promote fresh, new growth.
Always use clean, sharp pruners to make clean cuts just above a set of leaves.

Overwintering Lemon Verbena

Since lemon verbena is only hardy in zones 8-11, overwintering is a key skill for most growers. Before the first frost threatens, you need to make a plan.

For container plants, simply move the pot indoors to a bright, cool location. A south-facing window is ideal, or under a grow light. The plant will likely lose most of its leaves—this is normal. Water sparingly, just enough to keep the stems from shriveling.

For in-ground plants in borderline climates, you can try a heavy mulch to protect the roots, but the top growth will likely die back. Many gardeners take cuttings in late summer to root as insurance.

Harvesting and Using Your Leaves

Harvesting is simple and encourages new growth. You can pick individual leaves as needed or snip off whole stems.

For the best flavor, harvest in the morning after the dew has dried but before the midday sun is at its peak.
You can use the leaves fresh, which is when their flavor is most intense.
To preserve your harvest, dry the leaves by hanging small bunches upside down in a dark, well-ventilated area. Once crsip, store them in an airtight container away from light.

Use the leaves to make a soothing herbal tea, add them to fruit salads, or incorporate them into baked goods and marinades. The flavor is a pure, strong lemon that’s unlike any other herb.

Troubleshooting Common Problems

Even with good care, you might encounter a few issues. Here’s how to handle them.

Yellowing Leaves: This is most often a sign of overwatering. Check your soil moisture and adjust your schedule. It can also indicate a need for fertilizer.
Leaf Drop: Sudden leaf drop can be caused by a drastic change in environment (like moving indoors), under-watering, or a cold draft. The plant usually recovers with stable care.
Pests: Watch for whiteflies, spider mites, and aphids. A strong spray of water can dislodge them, or use an insecticidal soap for more severe infestations. Good air circulation helps prevent problems.
Powdery Mildew: This white fungus appears if air circulation is poor. Avoid overhead watering, space plants properly, and remove affected leaves.

Propagating New Plants

Once you have a healthy plant, you can easily make more. The most reliable method is by taking softwood or semi-hardwood cuttings.

In late spring or early summer, cut a 4-6 inch stem tip that has no flowers.
Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting.
Dip the cut end in rooting hormone (this step helps but isn’t always nessary).
Plant the cutting in a small pot filled with a moist, soilless potting mix.
Cover the pot with a plastic bag to create humidity, and place it in bright, indirect light.
Keep the soil slightly moist. In a few weeks, gently tug on the cutting; if you feel resistance, roots have formed.

FAQ About Growing Lemon Verbena

Is lemon verbena easy to grow?
Yes, if you provide enough sun and well-draining soil, and avoid overwatering, it is a relatively low-maintenance herb.

Can lemon verbena grow indoors?
Absolutely. It makes a great indoor plant if placed in a very sunny window, like a south-facing exposure. Supplemental grow lights are very helpful during winter months.

Does lemon verbena come back every year?
In warm climates (zones 8-11), it will behave as a perennial and return each spring. In colder zones, it is grown as an annual or overwintered indoors.

How often should I water my potted lemon verbena?
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. This could be every few days in hot summer weather, and much less frequently in winter.

Why is my lemon verbena losing all its leaves?
Leaf loss is common when the plant is moved indoors in fall or if it experiences a sudden chill. It also happens if the plant is too dry. Reduce stress by providing consistent care, and new leaves should appear in spring.

What’s the difference between lemon verbena and lemon balm?
They are completely different plants. Lemon verbena is a woody shrub with a strong, pure lemon scent. Lemon balm is a member of the mint family, with a softer lemon-mint flavor and a spreading growth habit.

Growing lemon verbena is a rewarding addition to any herb garden. With its captivating fragrance and versatile uses, it’s worth the little bit of special attention it requires. Pay close attention to sun, soil drainage, and winter protection, and you’ll be rewarded with an abundent supply of citrus-scented leaves for years to come.