How to Grow Trailing Verbena
Glandularia × hybrida
Sow indoors in February or March at 18–24°C, barely covering seeds as they need darkness to germinate. Pot on when large enough and harden off before planting out after the last frost, typically late May. Choose a sunny spot or use in hanging baskets and containers. Pinch out tips when young to encourage spreading growth. Water containers regularly — they dry out fast in warm weather — and feed fortnightly with a balanced or high-potash liquid fertiliser. Deadhead spent flower clusters throughout summer to keep blooms coming until the first frost.
When to Start
Start seeds indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date. Transplant outdoors once night temperatures stay above 10°C and soil has warmed to at least 15°C.
Don't know your frost date? Find it here →
Growth Stages
Approximate days from start
Care Essentials
- Fortnightly liquid feed from planting out. Use a balanced or high-potash fertiliser to sustain flowering.
- Trailing verbena excels in hanging baskets, window boxes, and as a ground cover edging. Keep moist in containers as they dry out quickly in warm weather.
Growing Conditions
- Min. soil temperature
- 15°C+
- Germination temperature
- 18–24°C
- Sow indoors
- —
- Transplant out
- —
- First harvest
- —
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Spacing & Planting
| Plant spacing | 30 cm |
| Row spacing | 35 cm |
| Sow depth | 0.3 cm |
| Mature height | 25 cm |
| Mature spread | 60 cm |
Growing Conditions
| Min. soil temperature | 15°C |
| Germination temperature | 18–24°C |
| Base growth temperature | 10°C |
| Min. daylength to start | 13h |
| Photoperiod sensitivity | day neutral |
Frequently Asked Questions
- How far apart should I plant Trailing Verbena?
- Plant Trailing Verbena 30cm apart with 35cm between rows.
- When does Trailing Verbena flower?
- Trailing Verbena typically flowers approximately 35 days after transplanting.
- Is Trailing Verbena frost hardy?
- Trailing Verbena is classified as Tender.
