When to Plant Lemon Verbena in Lee County, FL
Your May gardening checklist
Here's what deserves your attention in Lee County, Florida this month. Everything below is tailored to Zone 10b and timed around your local frost dates.
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Basket week: lemon verbena
This is the payoff month. Bring a basket, bring a friend, and get into the beds.
June will be here before you know it — start on
- First harvests: lemon verbena
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.
Lee County, Florida is in USDA Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is January 28 and the first fall frost is December 19, giving you a growing season of approximately 325 days.
At an elevation of 408 feet, Lee County receives approximately 61.6 inches of rainfall annually with predominantly sand soil. Summer highs average 86°F, providing good warmth for Lemon Verbena during the growing season. Sandy soil warms quickly in spring — great for early planting — but Lemon Verbena will need more frequent watering and organic matter to retain nutrients. Ample rainfall means less supplemental watering, but ensure good drainage to prevent Lemon Verbena root diseases.
Lee County Soil Profile
Soil Type
Sand
Soil pH
5.1-5.9
Drainage
Well Drained
Plant Planting Risk Windows
Percentages indicate frost risk at transplant. The 70% safe window means there is a 30% chance of frost after transplant — suitable for cold-hardy crops or gardeners with frost protection. The 90% safe window is best for tender plants.
Soil Compatibility in Lee County
How your county's soil matches Lemon Verbena's growing requirements.
Soil pH
Your soil pH (5.1–5.9) is more acidic than Lemon Verbena prefers (6.0–7.0). Add garden lime to raise pH.
Soil Texture
Sandy soil in Lee County warms quickly in spring but drains fast. Lemon Verbena will need more frequent watering and regular compost additions to retain nutrients.
Drainage
Drainage is adequate for Lemon Verbena.
Organic Matter
Organic matter is low (1.4%). Add 2-3 inches of compost before planting Lemon Verbena.
How to Plant Lemon Verbena
Succession Planting Lemon Verbena
Sow every 6.9 weeks. Last sowing by Sep 20 to harvest before frost.
Plant Water Budget
Monthly Watering Guide for Lemon Verbena
Lemon Verbena needs approximately 1 inches of water per week (4.3" per month). Here's how your county's rainfall compares month by month.
| Month | Lemon Verbena Needs | Rainfall | You Supplement | Action |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan | 4.3" | 3" | 1.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Feb | 4.3" | 3.3" | 1" | 💧 Light watering |
| Mar | 4.3" | 3.6" | 0.7" | 💧 Light watering |
| Apr | 4.3" | 2.8" | 1.5" | 💧 Light watering |
| May | 4.3" | 4" | 0.3" | 💧 Light watering |
| Jun | 4.3" | 7.6" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Jul | 4.3" | 10" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Aug | 4.3" | 7.7" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Sep | 4.3" | 9.3" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Oct | 4.3" | 5.1" | 0" | ✅ Rainfall sufficient |
| Nov | 4.3" | 2.7" | 1.6" | 💧 Light watering |
| Dec | 4.3" | 2.5" | 1.8" | 💧 Light watering |
Water needs are for active growing months only (Jan–Dec in Lee County). Supplement amounts are based on average rainfall — actual needs vary with temperature, soil, and mulching.
Lemon Verbena Heat Requirements (GDD)
What are Growing Degree Days (GDD)?
Growing Degree Days measure the total warmth your plants receive during the growing season. Think of it as a "heat bank" — every day above 50°F deposits warmth that helps your plants grow.
Each plant needs a certain amount of accumulated heat to mature. If your county provides more GDD than the plant needs, it's a great fit. If it's close, you may want to choose faster-maturing varieties or start seeds indoors to get a head start.
Lemon Verbena Planting Timeline — Lee County, FL
Lemon Verbena Planting Calendar
| Activity | When | Date Range |
|---|---|---|
| Start Indoors | December 17 | Dec 17 – Dec 31 |
| Transplant Outdoors | February 4 | Feb 4 – Feb 18 |
| Direct Sow | February 4 | Feb 4 – Feb 25 |
| Harvest | April 8 | Apr 8 – Jun 17 |
Plant 0.5" deep · 8" apart · Rows 12" apart
Month-by-Month Timeline
| Month | Activities |
|---|---|
| January | — |
| February | Transplant Outdoors Direct Sow |
| March | — |
| April | Harvest |
| May | Harvest |
| June | Harvest |
| July | — |
| August | — |
| September | — |
| October | — |
| November | — |
| December | Start Indoors |
Growing Conditions
☀️ Sun
Full Sun (6-8+ hours)
💧 Water
1"/week · 1-2 times/week
📅 Days to Maturity
60–90 days
🧪 Soil pH
Needs 6–7 · Your soil: too_acidic
🗺️ USDA Zone
Zone 10b
📆 Growing Season
325 days in Lee County
Growing Tips for Lemon Verbena in Lee County
Direct sow Lemon Verbena outdoors after January 28 in Lee County when soil has warmed and frost danger has passed.
Sandy soil in Lee County dries quickly — mulch Lemon Verbena with 2-3 inches of straw and water deeply 2-3 times per week rather than lightly every day.
General growing tips
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.
Companion Planting
Good Companions
Check more plant combinations with our Companion Planting Checker →
Lemon Verbena in Other Locations
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lemon Verbena in Lee County, FL?
Lee County is in Zone 10b with an average last frost of January 28. Plan your Lemon Verbena planting based on this frost date — see the calendar above for exact timing.
What planting zone is Lee County, FL?
Lee County, Florida is in USDA Hardiness Zone 10b. The average last spring frost is January 28 and first fall frost is December 19.
Your Lee County Garden Planner — Free
A 24-page printable planner built for Lee County (Zone 10b). Planting dates, a month-by-month schedule, harvest log, seed inventory, and succession charts — all dialed in for your exact growing season.