Lemon verbena
Aloysia citrodora · Verbenaceae
📷 H. Zell · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Lemon verbena is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Aloysia citrodora
- Family
- Verbenaceae
- Type
- Deciduous shrub
- Mature height
- 150 cm
- Flowering
- July to September
- Foliage
- Deciduous, strongly lemon-scented
- Hardiness
- Tender, grow in a pot or provide winter protection
- Origin
- South America (Argentina, Chile)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Lemon verbena grows very fast in light, warm soil. Water moderately (it tolerates dry conditions).
The common mistake
Overwatering or over-fertilizing: the plant becomes soft, loses fragrance and flowers, and is prone to crown rot.
The pro's trick
Grow in a pot (20 L minimum) in a protected area: more controlled growth and easy overwintering in a cold greenhouse (0-5°C).
Care
Light exposure
Place lemon verbena in full sun to optimize growth and fragrance. It needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. A south or west-facing location is ideal in most regions.
Watering
Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged during the growing season (spring-summer). Significantly reduce watering in winter, especially if the plant is dormant. Prefer regular, moderate watering rather than excessive soaking.
Soil and potting mix
Use light, well-draining potting soil enriched with sand or perlite to prevent water stagnation. Lemon verbena hates stagnant moisture which promotes root rot. A neutral to slightly acidic pH is preferred.
Pruning and pinching
Regularly pinch young stems to encourage a bushy, dense habit. Lightly prune after flowering (October) to maintain a nice shape. Harder pruning in spring can rejuvenate the plant if it becomes leggy.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer once a month during the active growing season (April to September). Reduce or stop fertilizing in winter when the plant is dormant. Avoid excess nitrogen as it weakens the leaf fragrance.
Pests and diseases
Watch for spider mites and whiteflies, especially when grown indoors. Excess humidity can cause fungal leaf spots. Ensure good air circulation and never water the foliage late in the afternoon.
Did you know?
Lemon verbena conquered Europe in the 18th century thanks to its intensely lemon-scented leaves. Aristocrats appreciated it for perfuming toilet water and digestive infusions. It remains a sought-after collector's plant among aromatic plant enthusiasts despite its sensitivity to cold.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- VervainVerbena officinalis
- Verveine NodiflorePhyla nodiflora
- Purple verbenaVerbena bonariensis
- Aztec sweet herbLippia dulcis
- Aloysia polystachyaAloysia polystachya
- LantanaLantana camara
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.