Have you ever grown lemon verbena? I usually grow it as an annual where I’m at since it is sensitive to frost, and I’m in zone 7. Otherwise known as Aloysia citrodora, lemon verbena is a species of flowering plant with pointed green leaves that have a district lemon scent. It’s different from lemon balm, which is closely related to mint, has much more textured leaves, and is generally a hardier plant.
I grew lemon verbana in a pot this year and noticed that when I threw it in my compost pile, it just wanted to come back! It started growing out the sides of the enclosure, so I thought—why not try to grow some new plants from cuttings and try to get them to spring? So here’s how to propagate it.
Supplies used
- Lemon verbana stem cutting
- Small pot
- Well-draining soil
Step 1: Take a cutting
The first step is to take a few good cuttings. I like to make sure I have at least a few sets of leaves on each cutting. Then I gently strip the bottom-most set of leaves to prepare the cuttings for planting.
Step 2: Plant & keep moist
Use a fresh well-draining potting soil to plant the cuttings, and make sure the pot has drainage holes. I like to plant several cuttings together in one pot to save space. Keep the soil moist and put the pot in a warm, bright spot for a few weeks.
Step 3: Check roots & pot up
After several weeks, you can dump the pot out and check the roots. When I checked my cuttings, three of the four has nice root growth. I chucked the fourth cutting and potted the three successful cuttings up separately.
This will give them more room to grow and establish themselves. I hoping to get at least one of these to the spring so I can grow another lemon verbana next year without buying it!
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Brittany is a seasoned DIY home and garden expert, running a creative brand since 2014 that inspires others with approachable plant care guides, woodworking tutorials, and decor projects. She is a certified project manager and has completed extensive coursework in the art and science of growing your own plants. Her work has been recognized by major publications, and she routinely collaborates with fellow DIY industry leaders—but her favorite thing to do is inspire you! Learn more about her here.
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