🌿 Lemon Verbena: Growing Guide
Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) grows best in full sun with moderate watering, and does well at −5 to 38 °C (23–100 °F) in soil with a pH of 6.0–8.0. Space plants about 100 cm (39 in) apart. Expect 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Quick facts
| Scientific name | Aloysia citrodora |
|---|---|
| Category | Tea |
| Sunlight | Full sun |
| Watering | Moderate |
| Plant spacing | 100 cm (39 in) |
| Soil pH | 6.0–8.0 |
| Comfortable temperature | −5 to 38 °C (23–100 °F) |
| Time to maturity | 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season) |
| Sowing depth | 2 cm (0.8 in) |
| Height | 100–300 cm (39–118 in) |
When to sow, plant and harvest
The calendar below shows the best months in each climate zone. Pick the zone closest to your garden.
| J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Mediterranean | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||
| Continental | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | ||||||||
| Oceanic | Plant out | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||
| Subtropical | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | ||
| Tropical | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest |
| Cold / Northern | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | |||||||||
| Arid / Semi-arid | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest | Harvest | Plant out | Harvest | Harvest |
- Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Aug.
- Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
- Subtropical (Southern US, N. Africa, Middle East): Plant out: Jul, Dec–Jan · Harvest: Feb–May, Aug–Oct.
- Tropical (SE Asia, Sub-Saharan Africa, Amazon): Harvest: Feb–Jan.
- Cold / Northern (Scandinavia, Canada, Russia, Alpine): Plant out: May · Harvest: Jun–Jul.
- Arid / Semi-arid (Arabian Peninsula, inland Australia): Plant out: Feb, Aug · Harvest: Mar–May, Sep–Oct.
Watering
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 7 days in winter. Moderate watering.
Growing tips
Strong lemon scent. Tea, desserts and cocktails. Prune in winter.
Good companion plants
These plants grow well alongside it:
Common pests and problems
Frequently asked questions
Lemon Verbena: when should I sow and plant it?
Mediterranean (Greece, Spain, Italy, coastal Turkey): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Aug. Continental (Central/Northern Europe, inland Balkans): Plant out: Apr–May · Harvest: Jun–Jul. Oceanic (UK, France, Belgium, Netherlands, NW Europe): Plant out: Mar–Apr · Harvest: May–Jul.
Lemon Verbena: how often should I water it?
Water about every 3 days in summer and about every 7 days in winter. Moderate watering.
Lemon Verbena: how far apart should I plant it?
Plant about 100 cm (39 in) apart and sow at a depth of about 2 cm (0.8 in).
Lemon Verbena: how long does it take to grow?
Plan on 365+ days (a perennial — it takes more than a season).
Lemon Verbena: which plants grow well with it?
Tomato, Cucumber.
Lemon Verbena: which pests and problems should I watch for?
Spider mite, Aphids.
Plan your garden
Add Lemon Verbena to your garden design in the free GardenXPro planner: drag plants onto a 2D plan, preview it in 3D, check companions and get watering reminders.
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