Verbena plants are a genus of flowering plants that includes over 250 species. They are annual or perennial herbs, shrubs, or subshrubs, with simple opposite leaves and small, brightly colored, petal-less flowers that are clustered in spikes or heads. The flowers come in a variety of colors including pink, purple, white, and red. Verbena plants are drought-tolerant and thrive in full sun or partial shade. They are popular in gardens and containers, and are often used as groundcovers or in hanging baskets.
Planning Your Garden With Verbena
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Verbena is a perennial. |
| USDA Zone | Verbena is hardy in USDA Zones 8-11. |
| Cold Tolerance | Verbena is generally considered to be cold hardy down to 32. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest verbena is usually around 60 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown verbena plant is between 12 and 24 inches in height and width. |
| Spacing requirements | Verbena prefers full sun and well-drained soil. Plant verbena in groups of 4-6 plants spaced 12-18 inches apart. |
| Sun tolerance | Verbena is a sun-loving plant that prefers full sun to partial shade. It can tolerate some shade, but it needs at least 6 hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. |
| Shade tolerance | Verbena is tolerant of both full sun and partial shade. It prefers at least six hours of sunlight per day, but it can tolerate light shade. |
| Water requirements | Verbena requires moist, well-drained soil and prefers a pH between 6.0 and 7.5. They should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out slightly between waterings. During the summer months, water the verbena deeply and regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. In the winter, reduce watering to once every two weeks. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing verbena depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the soil conditions. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 should be applied at a rate of 1-2 tablespoons per gallon of soil. If you are using a liquid fertilizer, follow the instructions on the label for the recommended application rate. |
| Soil pH | Verbena prefers a slightly acidic soil with a pH of 6.0 to 6.5. |
Why Verbena is Popular
Verbena is a popular garden plant because it is easy to grow, has a long flowering season, and is attractive to pollinators such as butterflies and bees. It is also a drought-tolerant plant, making it a great choice for gardeners who want a low-maintenance option.
Companion Plants For Verbena
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for verbena include:
Common Pests For Verbena
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow verbena, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- thrips
- aphids
- whiteflies
- spider mites
- mealybugs
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
