Lemon verbena is a perennial shrub in the verbena family (Verbenaceae) native to South America and was imported to Europe in the 17th century and cultivated for its oil. The Genus name honors Maria Louisa princess of Parma and wife of King Carlos IV of Spain. The specific epithet means lemon-scented. In its native habitat, it will grow 10 to 15 feet tall. Lemon verbena will grow 6 to 8 feet tall and wide in the ground but 2 to 4 feet tall and wide in a pot. It prefers full sun in well-drained moist fertile light soils. In zones 8 and higher, it can be grown outdoors. In cold climates, it can be grown in a pot and brought indoors for the winter, where it will lose its leaves. Pruning the branches in early spring encourages a bushier form. Best propagation is by stem cuttings as seed set is variable in North America. Fragrant white to pale lilac flowers appear midsummer to early fall. The leaves are fragrant and can be used in teas and cooking. This plant has gained the Royal Horticultural Society's Award of Garden Merit. Use the plant in containers, near walkways to enjoy the fragrance, and in culinary gardens. Leaves can be use for potpourris. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. Aphids, whiteflies, mealy bugs and spider mites are occasional problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Fills a similar nicheDianthusLantana camara 'Miss Huff'Mentha x piperita
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal
Mature size
Height: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in. | Width: 6 ft. 0 in. - 8 ft. 0 in.
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Multi-stemmed
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen; Deciduous; Semi-evergreen
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite; Whorled
Leaf shape
Lanceolate
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf value
Fragrant
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
3 to 4 inch long glossy pointed leaves occur opposite in in whorls of three. Have a strong lemon scent.
Flower color
Purple/Lavender; White
Flower value
Fragrant
Flower detail
Small white to liliac flowers in clusters July to September. Not particularly showy but frangrant.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Argentina and Chile
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers
Edibility
Leaves and flowers are used in teas, desserts, fruit salads and jams
Uses (ethnobotany)
Used medicinally as a folk remedy. Used in perfumes and as potpourris
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Patio; Walkways
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Edible Garden; Garden for the Blind
Design feature
Border; Small groups
Garden tags
#fragrant leaves #full sun tolerant #lavender #fragrant flowers #edible garden #problem for dogs #problem for horses #problem for cats #container plant #patio #summer flowers #edible leaves #edible flowers #sensory garden #walkway
Problems & Resistance
Insect problems
Aphids on Ornamental Landscape Plants; Whiteflies Found on Flowers and Foliage; Mealybugs Found on Flowers and Foliage; Twospotted Spider Mites on Landscape Plants
Problems
Problem for Cats; Problem for Dogs; Problem for Horses