When Can I Put My Lemon Verbena Outside?

Lemon verbena loves warm weather, so plant it in spring after the last frost. Space lemon verbena plants 12 to 18 inches apart in an area with full sun and fertile soil with excellent drainage; container growing is a great option.

What do you do with lemon verbena in the winter?

Frost tolerant
Lemon verbena is a tender perennial; its roots should not be allowed to freeze. In most climates, it is best grown in a container that can be kept in a cool (but not freezing) place through winter, the plant’s dormant season.

Does lemon verbena come back each year?

Lemon verbena (Aloysia citriodora) is a woody shrub, and its narrow glossy leaves grow quickly in hot summer weather, replenishing as you harvest throughout the growing season.

Where is the best place to plant lemon verbena?

full sun
Lemon verbena prefers full sun and free-draining soil that has been amended with compost. Heavy clay or overly wet soils will cause the roots to rot. Plant it near the edge of the bed where you’ll be apt to brush by the foliage, causing the leaves to release some of their lemony scent.

Does lemon verbena like full sun?

Full sun to partial afternoon shade.

Will lemon verbena survive frost?

Answer: Lemon verbena is a tender perennial herb, which means that it will not withstand frost and low temperatures. It is often grown in a container so that it can be brought inside before the threat of frost. Lemon verbena is best grown in full sun, in a rich and moist soil.

Will lemon verbena survive winter?

Rosemary, lemon verbena, and a few other perennial herbs are not reliably winter hardy. Extra winter protection can be provided by cutting plants back to within a couple inches of the ground after the first hard frost and covering the remaining stub with soil.

Does lemon verbena lose its leaves in winter?

Lemon verbena plants will lose their leaves in the winter, so don’t be alarmed when your plant goes bald. This is normal, especially when keeping verbena inside. Keep watering it about once a week and the leaves will return in the spring.

Should you cut back lemon verbena?

Lemon verbena is a shrubby herb that grows like crazy with very little help. However, cutting back lemon verbena every so often keeps the plant neat and prevents a leggy, spindly appearance.

Can you take cuttings from lemon verbena?

You can take lemon verbena cuttings in two ways: softwood or semi-ripe. Many swear by semi-ripe cuttings – which are taken in summer from stems where the base of the cutting is hard but the end is still soft – but I have only ever taken softwood cuttings in spring from new soft growth.

Why is my lemon verbena dying?

Lemon verbena will die if its roots are continually wet. If you’re growing verbena in a pot, choose a large one. This should be least 12 inches in diameter for a young plant, though you need to be prepared to transplant up as the plant grows.

Why do lemon verbena leaves turn yellow?

Why Does Verbena Leaves Turning Yellow? Verbena leaves that are yellowing can be caused by any one of several possibilities. Lack of nitrogen, too little sunlight, over-watering causing lack of oxygen through water logged soil or an iron deficiency. Powdery mildew is also a possibility.

Is lemon verbena toxic to dogs?

While some species of the verbena family, such as lantana, are considered toxic to dogs, lemon verbena is generally safe unless your dog consumes large amounts. Known interactions can include kidney irritation, so you may want to reconsider planting lemon verbena if your dog is an avid chewer with kidney problems.

What can I plant next to lemon verbena?

Plants that thrive in similar conditions are good companions for lemon verbena, for example, liquorice (Glycyrrhiza glabra), some species of St. John’s wort (Hypericum) or lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). Lemon verbena can also be planted together with coriander (Coriandrum sativum) or beebalms (Monarda).

Is lemon verbena Hardy?

Although it is a perennial herb, it is very sensitive to the cold, losing its leaves as temperatures approach freezing. The woody parts are more hardy and can withstand temperatures as low as -10ºC as long as the roots are kept dry.

Can I grow verbena indoors in winter?

But if you’d like to keep your tender perennials year after year, you can winterize your fuchsia, geranium or verbena plant to enjoy again in the spring by bringing it indoors.

What temperature can verbena tolerate?

As the last frost of spring approaches, prune back the plant to stimulate new growth. After the last frost of spring has passed and nighttime temperatures are reliably above 50 degrees Fahrenheit, you can move the container outdoors or replant the verbena in the garden.

How often should you water lemon verbena?

Lemon verbena requires regular watering and well-drained soil. To water lemon verbena, soak the soil thoroughly to saturate the roots, and then let the soil dry before the next watering. Watering at the base of the plant keeps the leaves dry and helps prevent stem rot and other diseases caused by wet conditions.

What does lemon verbena attract?

Spider mites and whiteflies adore lemon verbena. Some gardeners won’t grow it because they feel this herb attracts those pests. Avoid carrying these pests indoors by allowing plants to stay outdoors until leaves drop.

How do I prepare verbena for winter?

Trim lightly during the summer and complete two or three heavier trimmings that will cut back around 25 percent of the plants. Verbena flowers will grow back quickly, and they will continue doing so until the winter sets in, and they turn dormant. Trimming is best done with a sharp pair of garden shears.

How do you winterize herbs in pots?

Just be sure to bring your potted herbs indoors before a hard freeze descends. Once inside, place the potted herb in a sunny window and keep the soil slightly moist. Herbs like rosemary, sage, sweet bay, lemon grass, and lemon verbena do well as winter houseplants or even year-round houseplants given enough light.