Aloysia polystachya
Aloysia polystachya · Verbenaceae
📷 Facucampeon · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
Aloysia polystachya is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Family
- Verbenaceae
- Type
- Semi-woody shrub
- Adult height
- Approximately 100 cm
- Foliage
- Semi-evergreen to deciduous depending on climate
- Flowering
- June to September, white or lavender flowers
- Growth
- Fast to moderate
- Hardiness
- Moderate (warm temperate climate preferred)
- Origin
- South America (Argentina, Brazil)
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Aloysia polystachya (lemon verbena) loves dry conditions and is low-maintenance, but it gets leggy with age if you don't rejuvenate it: cut it back hard in March every 3 years to get dense new growth.
The common mistake
Overwatering it in winter or in heavy soil—it rots more often from excess water than from drought.
The pro's trick
Rub a leaf between your fingers before harvesting: the lemony aroma releases instantly and tells you the optimal picking time.
Care
Light Exposure
Place your mint verbena in direct sunlight, with a minimum of 6 to 8 hours per day for optimal flowering. It appreciates a bright, warm location. In partial shade, the plant will become leggy and flower less abundantly.
Watering
Water regularly during the growing season (spring-summer), but allow the soil to dry slightly between waterings. In winter, reduce watering considerably. Avoid stagnant water, which promotes root rot.
Soil and Drainage
Plant it in well-draining, light soil rich in organic matter. A potting mix-sand blend works well. Good drainage is essential to prevent fungal diseases and root asphyxiation.
Pruning and Maintenance
Prune regularly in late winter to maintain a compact, dense shape. Remove dead or weak branches in spring. This pruning encourages branching and better flowering the following year.
Fertilizing
Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 to 3 weeks from May to September. Choose a potassium-rich formulation to stimulate flowering. Stop all fertilizing in autumn-winter.
Diseases and Pests
Watch for aphids and spider mites in hot, dry climates. Ensure good air circulation to minimize the risk of fungal diseases. In case of infestation, a water spray or appropriate treatment is usually sufficient.
Did you know?
Mint verbena owes its common name to the intensely fresh, minty aroma that its leaves release when crushed. In South America, it has long been used in traditional herbal infusions for its digestive properties and delicate flavor, which also explains its other vernacular name: southern lemon verbena.
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
- Lemon verbenaAloysia citrodora
- Aztec sweet herbLippia dulcis
- LantanaLantana camara
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.