How to Grow Lemon Verbena

Obtain cuttings from an existing lemon verbena plant. Use the softwood cuttings during summer. Use the hardwood cuttings during autumn/fall.

Trim a 12cm (5") piece from the parent lemon verbena plant. Remove one third of the upper leaves on the cutting and thin the lower leaves.

Fill a container with two-thirds coarse sand and one-third peat moss. Moisten this mix in the pot and place the cutting into it.

Place a plastic bag over the pot. This will imitate a mini-greenhouse.

Once the cutting takes root, shift to a container of quality potting soil. You should renewed leaf growth before this transplanting.

Plant into the garden when it has strong growth. Alternatively, purchase a lemon verbena already at this stage of growth.

Water on an average basis. It is tolerant of hot temperatures and dry conditions.

Fertilize using a complete plant food. This should be applied about every six weeks.

Prune. This herb needs regular pruning to prevent a build-up of dead wood and a scraggly look. Pruning will also accelerate new growth. Remove dead wood when pruning. Spring pruning will contain its growth, while pruning in any season will tidy it up. Protect during winter by cutting the plant down and covering up the roots with straw.

Harvest. Harvest as required. The leaves make excellent tea. Use them wherever you might use lemon as well. Chopped or crushed leaves can be added to fish dishes, to cakes, to jams and jellies, and other foods needing a lemony touch. The leaves are also great in potpourri.