Lemon verbenaAloysia citrodora

Lemon verbena

Lemon verbenas

1. Aloysia triphylla
2. Lippia citrodora
3. Verbena triphylla

1. Lemon beebrush

1. Lemon verbena

1. Lemon verbena
2. Aloysia citrodora
3. Lippia citrodora

1. Tracheophyta
2. Angiospermae
3. Eudicotyledoneae
4. Asteridae
5. Lamiales

Verbena family

1. Leaves

Lemon verbena is an outstanding, intensely fragrant subshrub that belongs in every tea garden. Its leaves release a pure, refreshing lemon aroma at the slightest touch. Native to South America and highly frost-sensitive, it is usually grown in containers in Central Europe and overwintered frost-free. Hard pruning in spring ensures compact, bushy growth and a bountiful harvest throughout the summer.

1. TaskSow seeds indoors

   Label

   Sow seeds indoors

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 2

   ConditionIndoors

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Seeds are small and light-germinating. Use seed-starting mix and keep moist.

1. TaskSow seeds indoors

   Label

   Sow seeds indoors

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 3

   ConditionIndoors

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Sow again if the first sowing was unsuccessful.

1. TaskPrick out seedlings

   Label

   Prick out seedlings

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 4

   ConditionIndoors, after germination

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Separate seedlings into individual pots once they have developed their first true leaves.

2. TaskHarden off seedlings

   Label

   Harden off seedlings

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 4

   ConditionIndoors, before planting out

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Gradually acclimatize the young plants to outdoor conditions.

1. TaskPlant out seedlings

   Label

   Plant out seedlings

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 5

   ConditionAfter last frost, outdoors

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Plant lemon verbena outdoors or in larger containers after the 'Ice Saints' (mid-May).

2. TaskWater regularly

   Label

   Water regularly

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 5

   ConditionDuring dry periods

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging.

3. TaskFertilize

   Label

   Fertilize

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 5

   ConditionDuring growing season

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Use a liquid fertilizer for herbs or add compost.

1. TaskPlant out seedlings

   Label

   Plant out seedlings

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 6

   ConditionIf not planted in May, outdoors

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   If not done yet, plant outdoors or in larger containers now.

2. TaskWater regularly

   Label

   Water regularly

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 6

   ConditionDuring dry periods

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging.

3. TaskFertilize

   Label

   Fertilize

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 6

   ConditionDuring growing season

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Use a liquid fertilizer for herbs or add compost.

4. TaskHarvest leaves

   Label

   Harvest leaves

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 6

   ConditionFrom established plants

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   First harvest of aromatic leaves for tea, cooking, or preservation.

1. TaskWater regularly

   Label

   Water regularly

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 7

   ConditionDuring dry periods

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging.

2. TaskFertilize

   Label

   Fertilize

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 7

   ConditionDuring growing season

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Use a liquid fertilizer for herbs or add compost.

3. TaskHarvest leaves

   Label

   Harvest leaves

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 7

   ConditionFrom established plants

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Continuous harvest of leaves for fresh use or drying.

1. TaskWater regularly

   Label

   Water regularly

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 8

   ConditionDuring dry periods

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Keep the soil consistently moist, but avoid waterlogging.

2. TaskFertilize

   Label

   Fertilize

   Prioritymedium

   Months

   1. 8

   ConditionDuring growing season

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Use a liquid fertilizer for herbs or add compost.

3. TaskHarvest leaves

   Label

   Harvest leaves

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 8

   ConditionFrom established plants

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Continuous harvest of leaves for fresh use or drying.

1. TaskHarvest leaves

   Label

   Harvest leaves

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 9

   ConditionBefore frost

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Harvest leaves before the first frost. This is also a good time for preservation.

2. TaskPrepare for overwintering

   Label

   Prepare for overwintering

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 9

   ConditionAs temperatures drop

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Begin preparing the plant for overwintering by reducing watering and fertilization.

1. TaskLast harvest of leaves

   Label

   Last harvest of leaves

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 10

   ConditionBefore frost

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Harvest the last leaves before moving the plant to its winter quarters.

2. TaskMove to winter quarters

   Label

   Move to winter quarters

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 10

   ConditionBefore first frost

   Estimated effortmedium

   Notes

   Move the plant to cool, bright winter quarters before temperatures drop below freezing.

1. TaskOverwintering

   Label

   Overwintering

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 11

   ConditionIndoors, cool and bright

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Keep the plant cool (5-10°C) and bright in its winter quarters. Water sparingly.

1. TaskOverwintering

   Label

   Overwintering

   Priorityhigh

   Months

   1. 12

   ConditionIndoors, cool and bright

   Estimated effortlow

   Notes

   Keep the plant cool (5-10°C) and bright in its winter quarters. Water sparingly.

Sunny to partially shaded

Slight wind protection beneficial

Prefers a warm, sunny location. Protect from strong winds.

Well-draining, humus-rich, and fertile soil

Avoid waterlogging at all costs. Good drainage is crucial.

Regularly, especially during dry spells

Keep consistently moist, avoid waterlogging

The soil should never dry out completely, but also not be too wet.

Moderately to well-supplied

Every 4-6 weeks during the growing season

A liquid fertilizer for herbs or a dose of compost is sufficient. Over-fertilizing can impair the aroma.

Suitable for herb beds, raised beds, or as a specimen plant in a container.

Lemon verbena is not a heavy feeder and can be grown after other herbs or vegetables. A rotation of 3-4 years is recommended to avoid soil fatigue.

1. Aphids
2. Spider mites
3. Fungus gnats

1. Powdery mildew
2. Root rot
3. Leaf spot

1. Ensure good air circulation
2. Avoid waterlogging
3. Maintain proper spacing
4. Regularly monitor for pests and diseases

Most problems arise from care errors. Checking site and water conditions is usually the first step.

1. Slugwurzelfaeule

   Severityhigh

   Conditions

   1. Waterlogging
   2. Heavy, compacted soils
   3. Overwatering

   Affected parts

   1. Roots

   Prevention

   1. Use well-draining substrate
   2. Avoid overwatering
   3. Ensure good drainage

   Organic control

   1. Dispose of affected plant
   2. Replace pot and soil
2. Slugechter-mehltau

   Severitymedium

   Conditions

   1. High humidity
   2. Poor air circulation
   3. Dense planting

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves

   Prevention

   1. Maintain spacing
   2. Improve air circulation
   3. Avoid overhead watering

   Organic control

   1. Spray baking soda solution (1 tsp baking soda per 1 L water)
   2. Remove affected leaves
3. Slugblattlaeuse

   Severitylow

   Conditions

   1. Warm, sheltered location
   2. Under glass (greenhouse)

   Affected parts

   1. Leaves
   2. Shoot tips

   Prevention

   1. Encourage beneficials (ladybugs, lacewings)
   2. Regular monitoring

   Organic control

   1. Spray off with water
   2. Apply neem oil or soft soap solution

1. Symptom

   White coating on leaves

   Possible causes

   1. echter-mehltau

   First checks

   1. Check humidity
   2. Measure plant spacing
2. Symptom

   Wilting with wet soil

   Possible causes

   1. wurzelfaeule

   First checks

   1. Check roots
   2. Examine drainage
3. Symptom

   Yellow, curled leaves

   Possible causes

   1. blattlaeuse
   2. stickstoffmangel

   First checks

   1. Check undersides of leaves for aphids
   2. Review fertilization

1. Germination
2. Seedling
3. Bushy growth
4. Flowering
5. Fruit ripening
6. Autumn coloration
7. Winter dormancy

Lemon verbena is a perennial, deciduous subshrub. In Central Europe it flowers from July to September, with seed ripening in late summer. Frost kills the above-ground foliage; the plant overwinters from the rootstock.

Continuously from May to October, every 2 to 4 weeks

1. The plant is well established and has developed several shoots
2. Leaves are fully developed and bright green
3. Aroma is especially intense before flowering
4. After flowering leaves may become slightly more bitter

Leaves are delicate and wilt quickly. Process immediately after harvest, dry, or freeze to preserve aroma. Do not wash; only lightly brush off if necessary.

Dried or frozen storage

Fresh: 1–2 weeks in fridge; dried: about 1 year; frozen: 6–12 months

1. Air drying
2. Dehydrator drying
3. Freezing whole leaves
4. Freezing in ice cubes

1. Leaves

1. Stems (very woody)
2. Roots

Lemon verbena is considered non-toxic. In very large amounts, however, essential oils may cause irritation of the gastrointestinal tract. Pregnant and breastfeeding women should avoid medicinal doses.

Yes, leaves can be eaten raw. Due to their intense aroma, however, they are mostly used as a flavoring or in drinks.

Not necessary for self-pollination to maintain varietal purity, but at least 100 m from other Aloysia species, if present.

At least 10 plants are recommended to maintain genetic diversity.

Carefully rub the dried seed heads between your fingers, then sift the seeds through a fine sieve. Remove chaff by blowing gently.

Store cool, dry, and dark. Viability is maintained for 2–3 years under good storage conditions.

Lemon verbena is a frost-tender subshrub, often grown in containers and overwintered cool in Central Europe. Annual pruning in spring is essential for compact growth and good aroma development.

The small, white to pale purple flowers appear in late summer, providing a valuable late-season nectar source for bees, bumblebees, and butterflies.

In summer, container-grown lemon verbena requires surprisingly large amounts of water. Drying out leads to immediate leaf drop.

Do not panic: the plant sheds all its leaves in winter quarters. This is perfectly normal. Reduce watering to a bare minimum.

Bring out of winter storage, prune hard, and place in a warm, bright indoor spot as budbreak begins, before moving outdoors after the last spring frost.

Place in full sun, water generously, and continuously harvest shoot tips for culinary use.

Perform the last major harvest before early night frosts, drastically reduce watering, and move the plant to cool winter quarters.

Keep the leafless plant cool (5–10 °C) and the root ball nearly dry, watering minimally every few weeks just to prevent root desiccation.