Lemon Verbena Planting Guide
Lemon verbena is a deciduous shrub with intensely lemon-scented leaves that retain their aroma when dried. It makes an exceptional tea and adds citrus flavor to dishes.
Aloysia citrodora · Herb · Verbenaceae family · 60–90 days to maturity
Get Your Personalized Lemon Verbena Planting Dates
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Where Can You Grow Lemon Verbena?
Lemon Verbena Growing Regions
Click any state to see the Lemon Verbena planting schedule for that location.
Planting Dates by Zone
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Transplant | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 8a | Jan 18 | Mar 15 | Mar 22 | May 24 – Aug 2 |
| Zone 8b | Jan 7 | Mar 4 | Mar 11 | May 13 – Jul 22 |
| Zone 9a | Dec 30 | Feb 17 | Feb 17 | Apr 21 – Jun 30 |
| Zone 9b | Dec 14 | Feb 1 | Feb 1 | Apr 5 – Jun 14 |
| Zone 10a | Nov 20 | Jan 8 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 |
| Zone 10b | Nov 20 | Jan 8 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 |
| Zone 11a | Nov 20 | Jan 8 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 |
| Zone 11b | Nov 20 | Jan 8 | Jan 8 | Mar 12 – May 21 |
How to Plant Lemon Verbena
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
Moderate — regular watering
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Consistent moisture produces the best results.
🧪 Soil pH
6 – 7
Prefers neutral to slightly acidic soil — ideal for most garden beds.
🗺️ Hardiness Zones
Zone 8a – 11b
📅 Days to Maturity
60–90 days
Quick-growing crop. Multiple plantings per season are possible.
👪 Plant Family
Verbenaceae
Rotate with other families yearly to prevent soil-borne diseases. Don't plant in the same spot where Verbenaceae family crops grew last year.
Succession Planting Lemon Verbena
Lemon Verbena matures in just 60–90 days, making it ideal for succession planting. In a typical 180-day growing season, you can get up to 3 successive plantings by sowing every 6.9 weeks.
Your actual succession count depends on your local frost dates. Enter your ZIP code to get personalized succession planting dates for your area.
Companion Planting for Lemon Verbena
✅ Good Companions
Check more combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Growing Tips for Lemon Verbena
Grow in a container in cold climates and bring indoors for winter. Prune back hard in spring. Harvest leaves anytime but flavor peaks just before flowering. Dries well for tea.
Saving Lemon Verbena Seeds
Recommended for Your Garden
Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.
Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.
Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.
Level Up Your Garden
Lemon Verbena by State
- Alabama
- Alaska
- Arizona
- Arkansas
- California
- Colorado
- Connecticut
- Delaware
- Florida
- Georgia
- Hawaii
- Idaho
- Illinois
- Indiana
- Iowa
- Kansas
- Kentucky
- Louisiana
- Maine
- Maryland
- Massachusetts
- Michigan
- Minnesota
- Mississippi
- Missouri
- Montana
- Nebraska
- Nevada
- New Hampshire
- New Jersey
- New Mexico
- New York
- North Carolina
- North Dakota
- Ohio
- Oklahoma
- Oregon
- Pennsylvania
- Rhode Island
- South Carolina
- South Dakota
- Tennessee
- Texas
- Utah
- Vermont
- Virginia
- Washington
- West Virginia
- Wisconsin
- Wyoming
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take to grow Lemon Verbena?
Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) takes 60 to 90 days from planting to harvest. Exact timing depends on your variety, growing conditions, and USDA zone.
What zones can Lemon Verbena grow in?
Lemon Verbena can be grown in USDA zones 8a through 11b. Use the planting calendar above to find the exact dates for your zone.
How much sun does Lemon Verbena need?
Growing Lemon Verbena requires Full Sun (6-8+ hours), Moderate — regular watering, and soil pH of 6 to 7.