Key Features

• Growth Habit:
  • Upright, woody perennial shrub
  • Typically grows 4–8 feet tall and 3–6 feet wide in warm climates
  • Fast-growing with arching branches and aromatic foliage
• Bloom Color:
  • Small white to pale lavender flowers
• Fragrance:
  • Intensely lemon-scented foliage with one of the strongest citrus fragrances among herbs
• Fruit Flavor:
  • No edible fruit production
  • Leaves provide a bright, sweet lemon flavor without the acidity of citrus fruits
• Culinary Uses:
  • Excellent for herbal teas, iced beverages, syrups, desserts, fruit salads, jellies, and baked goods
  • Leaves can flavor fish, poultry, marinades, and cocktails
  • Popular in homemade potpourri and sachets
• Medicinal & Traditional Uses:
  • Traditionally used in herbal teas to promote relaxation and digestion
  • Commonly utilized in aromatherapy and herbal wellness preparations
  • Leaves are often used in soothing bedtime teas
• Wildlife Attraction & Pest Resistance:
  • Attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial pollinators when flowering
  • Deer resistant due to its strongly aromatic foliage
  • Rabbit resistant
  • Generally resistant to most pests and diseases
• Planting Zones: USDA Zones 8–11
  • Commonly grown as an annual or container plant in colder climates
• Sun Preferences:
  • Full sun
  • Requires at least 6–8 hours of direct sunlight daily for best growth and fragrance
• Drought Tolerance:
  • Moderate once established
  • Prefers regular watering for optimal leaf production

Planting Instructions (From a 3.5" Pot into the Ground)

1. Choose the Location

• Select a sunny location with well-drained soil.
• Ideal for herb gardens, raised beds, borders, and pollinator gardens.

2. Prepare the Soil

• Loosen soil 8–10 inches deep.
• Incorporate compost or aged organic matter to improve drainage and fertility.

3. Dig the Hole

• Dig a hole twice as wide as the 3.5" pot and equal depth.

4. Remove from Pot

• Carefully remove the plant from its container.
• Gently loosen any circling roots before planting.

5. Plant

• Place the root ball level with the surrounding soil surface.
• Backfill with soil and gently firm around the roots.

6. Water Thoroughly

• Water deeply after planting.
• Keep soil evenly moist during the establishment period.

7. Mulch

• Apply 1–2 inches of mulch around the base to conserve moisture and suppress weeds.

8. Spacing

• Space plants 3–5 feet apart to accommodate mature growth.

Overwintering Lemon Verbena

In-Ground Plants (Zones 8–11)

• Plants may remain evergreen in frost-free climates.
• In cooler parts of its range, leaves may drop during winter dormancy.
• Apply a layer of mulch around the root zone before winter.

Winter Care Tips

• Reduce watering during dormancy.
• Wait until spring to prune any winter-damaged stems.
• New growth typically emerges once temperatures warm.

Cold Climate Gardening (Zones 7 and Below)

• Before the first hard frost, either:
  • Dig and pot the plant for indoor growing, or
  • Grow in containers year-round for easy winter protection.

Indoor Overwintering

• Place in a bright sunny window or greenhouse.
• Water sparingly during winter.
• Some leaf drop is normal indoors during dormancy.
• Resume regular watering and fertilization in spring.

Spring Maintenance

• Prune back leggy or winter-damaged growth after new growth begins.
• Harvest regularly throughout the growing season to encourage bushier growth.

Lemon Verbena is one of the most fragrant and useful culinary herbs available, offering intensely lemon-scented foliage, delicate flowers, and countless uses in the kitchen and home. Its refreshing flavor, pollinator-friendly blooms, and easy-care nature make it an exceptional addition to herb gardens, containers, and edible landscapes.