How to grow Lemon Verbena
Updated October 2026
Lemon verbena is a South American shrub with intensely lemon-scented leaves, used fresh or dried for tea, desserts and drinks. It grows outdoors as a shrub in zone 8 and warmer and makes a good pot plant elsewhere, losing its leaves when brought indoors for winter.
📖 Our full guide: How to Grow Lemon Verbena
Where to plant
Lemon verbena prefers full sun in light, fertile, moist but well-drained soil, in a warm, sheltered spot. It dislikes wet roots. In zone 8 and warmer it can stay outdoors; in colder weather it drops its leaves and may be cut back to the ground, then resprout from the base in late spring. A thick mulch over the roots helps it through cold spells.
- Florida, the Gulf South, Texas, California, the Desert Southwest and Hawaii: grow it outdoors as a shrub; mulch the roots in colder spells.
- The Mid-South, Mid-Atlantic, Southern Plains and Pacific Northwest: grow it in a warm, sheltered spot with heavy mulch, or in a pot moved into a garage or cool room for winter.
- The Northeast, Midwest, Northern Plains, Mountain West and Alaska: grow it in a pot outside in summer and bring it indoors before frost, where it will lose its leaves and rest.
How to plant
- Plant a young plant in spring after the last frost, in full sun and well-drained soil.
- In the ground, give it room to grow 6 feet or more; in a pot, use a large container with good potting mix.
- Pinch the tips of young plants to make them bushier.
Watering and feeding
Water regularly through the growing season but let the top of the soil dry a little between waterings; lemon verbena dislikes wet roots. Feed lightly in spring and summer. Indoors over winter, water only enough to keep the roots from drying out completely.
Pruning and care through the year
- Prune in early spring to encourage a bushier shape, and pinch tips through summer.
- Do not worry when an indoor or frosted plant drops its leaves; new growth usually appears in spring.
Harvesting
Pick leaves and sprigs as needed through summer. To dry, hang stems in a shady, airy place; dried leaves keep their lemon scent for a long time. Use the leaves in tea, desserts, fruit salads, jams and drinks.
Growing in pots
Lemon verbena does very well in containers, staying 2 to 4 feet tall and wide. Move the pot into a cool, bright, frost-free place for winter and expect it to drop its leaves.
Propagation and saving seed
Stem cuttings are the best way to propagate it, as seed sets poorly in North America. Softwood cuttings root quickly in late spring and early summer.
Companion planting
Lemon verbena's summer flowers bring in pollinators. Plant it near paths or patios where you can brush its fragrant leaves.
Good companions
- Tomato Grows in the same warm, sunny conditions and draws pollinators to the bed.
- Bush beans Another warm-season crop for the same sunny spot.
Pests and diseases
Lemon verbena has no serious problems. Sap-sucking insects are occasional pests, especially on plants indoors in winter.
Pests to watch for
- Spider mites Speckled, dull leaves and fine webbing, common indoors in dry air.
- Aphids Clusters on young shoots.
- Whitefly Tiny white insects under the leaves.
- Mealybug White, cottony insects in leaf joints.
Diseases to watch for
- Root rot Wilting and collapse in wet, poorly drained soil.
Common questions
Why did my lemon verbena lose its leaves?
It is deciduous in cool weather and indoors over winter. Keep it frost free, water lightly, and it usually leafs out again in spring.
Can lemon verbena stay outside in winter?
In zone 8 and warmer, yes, and a thick mulch helps. It may die back to the ground in cold winters and resprout in late spring. In colder areas, bring it indoors.
How do I use lemon verbena?
Use fresh or dried leaves for tea, in desserts, fruit salads, jams and drinks. Dried leaves keep their lemon scent well.
How do I propagate lemon verbena?
Take stem cuttings in late spring or summer; they root quickly. Seed is unreliable.
Is lemon verbena safe for pets?
NC State Extension flags it as a problem for cats, dogs and horses, so keep pets from eating it.
Sources we checked: NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox: Aloysia citriodora; Plants For A Future: Aloysia citriodora.
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