Verveine Nodiflore
Phyla nodiflora · Verbenaceae
📷 Ghislain118 http://www.fleurs-des-montagnes.net · CC BY-SA 3.0
The gardener's calendar
Verveine nodiflore is in full bloom: enjoy it, watch watering in hot weather and let spent flowers feed pollinators before pruning.
ID card
- Family
- Verbenaceae
- Plant type
- Creeping perennial herb
- Mature height
- 15 cm
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Flowering
- May to September
- Exposure
- Full sun
- Water needs
- Low
- Origin
- North and Central America
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Nodding Vervain is a vigorous ground cover that hates waterlogging but tolerates drought once established. Plant it in light soil, spaced 30 cm apart.
The common mistake
Overwatering or planting in heavy, wet soil—it suffocates and gradually dies back.
The pro's trick
Mow it very short (3–4 cm) once or twice in summer (July–August) to rejuvenate it and keep it compact.
Care
Exposure
Plant nodding frostweed in full sun to obtain generous and abundant flowering. It tolerates hot and dry exposures without any problem. Lack of light would reduce its compactness and flowering.
Watering
Water moderately after planting until the root system is established. Once settled, this plant resists drought very well and requires little water. In a pot, let the substrate dry slightly between waterings.
Soil
Nodding frostweed prefers well-drained, rather poor to medium soil. It adapts to sandy or stony soils and fears stagnant moisture. Adding sand or gravel improves drainage if your soil is heavy.
Pruning and maintenance
Light pruning after flowering or in late winter helps maintain a compact shape. This low and creeping plant covers the ground well without requiring regular pruning. Remove dead or weak stems in spring.
Fertilizer
No fertilizer is generally necessary. In a pot or poor soil, a balanced diluted fertilizer once in spring is sufficient. Avoid excess nitrogen which would favor foliage at the expense of flowering.
Health and pests
Nodding frostweed is very robust and rarely subject to disease. Excessive moisture can cause root rot: therefore prioritize impeccable drainage. Few pest insects attack it significantly.
Did you know?
Nodding frostweed is a plant traditionally used in Central America for its aromatic and medicinal properties. Its name 'nodiflora' literally means 'flowering at the nodes,' because its small pink or white flowers bloom at each stem joint, creating a remarkably dense and long-lasting floral carpet.
Where to buy it
Plant in spring or early autumn, avoiding spells of intense heat. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, April, May, September.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- VervainVerbena officinalis
- Purple verbenaVerbena bonariensis
- Lemon verbenaAloysia citrodora
- Aztec sweet herbLippia dulcis
- Aloysia polystachyaAloysia polystachya
- LantanaLantana camara
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.