Lemon Verbena Planting Guide

May

lemon verbena this month

lemon verbena rewards gardeners who pay attention to a few basics. Here's what matters in May, wherever you're growing.

Sun full sun

Water moderate

Days to harvest 60–90

Plant depth 0.5″

Spacing 8″

How to water lemon verbena
Consistent moisture matters more than volume for lemon verbena. Little and often beats occasional drenching.
Where to put lemon verbena
lemon verbena wants at least 6 hours of direct sun. Less than that and you'll get leggy plants with weak yields.
Check your local forecast before planting
Your zone determines the exact week to plant lemon verbena. Pick your county below and we'll line everything up against your frost dates.

Get lemon verbena planting dates for your county →

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

Enter your ZIP code to see exact planting dates, soil compatibility, and growing tips specific to your county.

Where Can You Grow Lemon Verbena?

Zone Compatibility for Lemon Verbena Zones 8a – 11b

1a 1b 2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b 12a 12b 13a 13b

Ideal (data available) Suitable Marginal Not recommended

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

0.5"

Planting Depth

Between Plants

12"

Between Rows

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

Basil Tomatoes

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

🪴

Fabric Grow Bags $10-25

Breathable fabric pots that promote healthy root growth and prevent overwatering.

🏺

Self-Watering Planters $15-40

Built-in reservoir keeps herbs and greens consistently watered with less effort.

🌱

Seed Starting Trays $8-20

Start seeds indoors with reusable cell trays and humidity domes.

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Lemon Verbena by State

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.