Lemon Verbena Plant Seedlings

Lemon Verbena Care Here are the main requirements for growing lemon verbena. Lemon verbena prefers warm weather. Plant your lemon verbena in the spring after the last frost. Plant in full sun, with rich and well-drained soil. Water regularly. Light Lemon verbena needs full sun for six to eight hours per day, which is typical for plants in a vegetable garden. Plants that are grown indoors as houseplants might need supplemental artificial lighting to prevent lanky growth and leaf drop. Soil Lemon verbena does well in rich garden loam, and it also tolerates average soil. However, good drainage is essential, so if garden bed soil is heavy and dense, plant them in raised beds or containers. Water Lemon verbena needs regular irrigation. A lack of water leads to plant stress, leaf drop, and insect pest infestation. Keep the surface of the soil moist, but don’t oversaturate the plants; The roots do not like to stay wet. When the top 2 inches of soil are dry, water and aim for a moisture level that resembles a wrung-out sponge. Plants grown indoors for the winter months can be watered once a week, but may be kept on the dry side. Temperature and Humidity In its native South America (specifically Argentina and Chile), lemon verbena plants grow in a sunny, frost-free climate. Temperatures below 40°F will trigger leaf drop and dormancy. Plants do well in dry or humid environments. Because lemon verbena is sensitive to frost, it might be best to grow it in a container so that you can move the container indoors during the winter. Fertilizer Unlike other herbs, lemon verbena appreciates a regular fertilizing schedule to keep it lush and vigorous. Feed plants in the spring with an all-purpose fertilizer. Watering with compost or manure tea during the growing season will keep plants productive. Pruning Lemon verbena growing in containers rarely exceeds 2 or 3 feet tall, but the shrubs can exceed 8 feet outdoors in frost-free climates. Over time, the shrubs can get woody and lanky, and they generally can look worn out. Cut plants back by a third to half in early spring to encourage compact, bushier, and thicker growth.   Category: Herbs Seedlings