How to Grow Lemon Verbena
Aloysia citrodora
Lemon verbena is a deciduous shrub with intensely lemon-scented leaves, prized for teas, desserts, and potpourri. It needs a warm, sheltered spot — ideally against a south-facing wall. It drops its leaves in autumn (this is normal). Prune in late spring once new buds are visible, never in autumn. In cold areas, grow in a pot and overwinter frost-free. The dried leaves retain their scent for years.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Light feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser as new growth appears. Avoid overfeeding which reduces essential oil concentration.
Watch For
- Whitefly (under glass)
- Red spider mite (dry conditions)
- Late frost damage to new growth
Companions
Lavender, Rosemary, Sage
Pet Safety
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun, warm sheltered wall
Needs maximum warmth and sunlight. Plant against a south-facing wall for best results. This makes the difference between survival and death in cold winters.
Watering
Moderate in summer, minimal in winter
Water regularly during the growing season but allow soil to partially dry between waterings. Reduce drastically in winter for overwintered plants.
Fertilizing
Light balanced feed in spring
Light feed in spring with a balanced fertiliser as new growth appears. Avoid overfeeding which reduces essential oil concentration and dilutes the lemon scent.
Pruning
Late spring only, never autumn
Prune in late spring once new buds are clearly visible. Cut back last year's growth to strong buds. Never prune in autumn as old growth protects the crown from frost.
Growing Tips
Warm wall position
Plant against a south-facing wall for warmth and shelter. This makes the difference between survival and death in cold winters.
Prune late
Wait until late spring to prune — new growth is very late to appear and old stems protect the crown from frost.
Harvest for drying
Pick leaves freely from mid-summer for the strongest lemon flavour. Dry a large batch before leaf fall for winter teas.
Winter protection
Mulch the crown thickly in autumn and do not cut back. In pots, move to a frost-free spot before the first hard frost.
