Whether you garden in the ground, in raised beds, on the windowsill, or anywhere else, verbena is a great addition or re-addition to your plant family. Read on for simple, straightforward specifics about growing verbena, also known as vervain.
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Family | Container Size | Good Companions | Bad Companions | Soil Conditions | Germination | Sun | Water | Temperature Range | Height | Lifespan | Reproduction | Ingestibility | Further Reading
What Family Does Verbena Belong To?
Verbena or vervain (Verbena spp., most commonly Verbena officinalis) belongs to the Verbenaceae family, also known as the vervain family.
Some of its relatives include frogfruits and fiddlewoods.
Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is also a relative in the same plant family, but it is not actually in the Verbena genus.
What Size Container Should I Use for Growing Verbena?
The minimum container depth recommended for verbena is 12 inches.
But since the plants are not wide, 5-7 verbena plants can be planted in a 12-inch-deep container such as a 5-gallon bucket.
Learn more in our Choosing the Right Planter for Your Container Garden article here.
What Are Good Companion Plants for Verbena?
Some of verbena's best companions are as follows:
- Dill
- Cilantro
- Garlic
- Daisy
- Dahlia
- Cosmos
- Lily
- Marigold
- Geranium
- Snapdragon
- Basil
- Nasturtium
- Zinnia
- Toothache plant
What Are Bad Companion Plants for Verbena?
Verbena is not compatible with every plant. Some things to avoid planting with verbena are as follows:
- Watercress
- Marshmallow
What Soil Conditions Does Verbena Need?
Verbena prefers well-draining soil with a pH between 5.8 and 7.2. It is not particular about whether the soil is sand/silt, clay, or loam.
How Long Does Verbena Take to Germinate?
Verbena takes 2-4 weeks to germinate at a temperature of 60-85°F.
How Much Sun Does Verbena Need?
Verbena can grow in full sun to part shade.
In other words, it grows fastest in full sun. It will still grow in dappled shade or part shade, just at a slower rate.
Sun recommendations can vary by region, and verbena grown in hot areas or in warmer conditions than the ideal temperature range noted below may need more shade.
How Much Water Does Verbena Need?
Verbena should be watered deeply when the top half-inch of soil is dry.
What Is the Ideal Temperature Range for Growing Verbena?
Verbena grows fastest in temperatures of 60-75°F.
This is its ideal temperature range. Although it will grow in temperatures both cooler and warmer than this range, the growth could be slower or even stunted.
Minimum and maximum temperatures will vary by variety. Some verbena varieties are bred for later harvests and others for warmer climates.
How Tall Does Verbena Get?
The average height of verbena is 4-18 inches.
Its exact height depends on the variety and growing conditions.
Is Verbena Annual, Biennial, or Perennial?
Verbena is a perennial herb, meaning that it lives for longer than a couple years.
How Does Verbena Reproduce?
Verbena reproduces by seed.
Can Verbena Be Ingested?
Verbena leaves, flowers, and stems are edible. Most verbenas have edible roots as well.
Verbena leaves, flowers, and roots have nervine and anti-inflammatory properties and can be used in herbal preparations. The most common preparations are tea and tinctures. An herb:solvent weight ratio of 1:5 at 40% alcohol is suggested for a verbena tincture.
There are no known safety concerns for the general public associated with ingesting verbena leaves, flowers, stems, or roots.
Further Reading
This article is intended as a quick-reference guide for gardeners. Consult your seed packet or seed catalog for variety-specific information.
When you have a bumper crop of verbena rolling in, you may not have enough time for long, complicated recipes or many-step preservation procedures. Check out my article on quick, simple uses for verbena here!
Verbena is featured in these Plant to Plate articles: