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When to Plant Lemon Verbena in Oregon

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.

Oregon spans USDA hardiness zones 8a, 8b, 9a (with planting data available), so planting dates vary by your location within the state. Click your zone below for the most accurate dates.

Find Your County

Click your county for exact Lemon Verbena planting dates based on your local frost dates.

Hover over a county to see details. Click to view planting guide.

Lemon Verbena Planting Calendar for Oregon

Zone 8a ~255 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: March 8 · First frost: November 18 · 255 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 18 Jan 18 – Feb 1
Transplant Outdoors March 22 Mar 22 – Apr 5
Direct Sow March 15 Mar 15 – Apr 5
Harvest May 24 May 24 – Aug 2
Zone 8b ~276 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 25 · First frost: November 28 · 276 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors January 7 Jan 7 – Jan 21
Transplant Outdoors March 11 Mar 11 – Mar 25
Direct Sow March 4 Mar 4 – Mar 25
Harvest May 13 May 13 – Jul 22
Zone 9a ~303 day growing season · Full guide →

Last frost: February 10 · First frost: December 10 · 303 day season

Activity When Date Range
Start Indoors December 30 Dec 30 – Jan 13
Transplant Outdoors February 17 Feb 17 – Mar 3
Direct Sow February 17 Feb 17 – Mar 10
Harvest April 21 Apr 21 – Jun 30

Growing Tips for Oregon

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.

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lemon Verbena in Oregon?

Planting dates for Lemon Verbena in Oregon depend on your USDA zone. Oregon spans zones 8a, 8b, 9a. Check the planting calendar above for your specific zone's frost dates and planting windows.

What zone is Oregon for planting?

Oregon contains USDA hardiness zones 8a, 8b, 9a. Your specific zone depends on your location within the state — northern and higher-elevation areas are in colder zones, while southern and coastal areas are warmer.

Data sources: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (2023), NOAA 30-Year Climate Normals, University Cooperative Extension planting guides. Last updated: April 2026.