Verbena Flowers: How To Grow And Care For These Vibrant Plants

Verbena flowers are a genus of vibrant, lush, and beautiful flowers that are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of America. Whether you want to grow tall, short, perennial, or annual flowers, these plants have a choice for you. Verbena flower care is also very easy, and with the right care, these plants can add a pop of color to your garden from spring to fall.

Due to their versatility, verbena flowers can be categorized into various types – trailing, upright, annuals, perennial, moss, etc. Also known as Vervain, these herbal plants are used in essential oils for their citrusy scent and flavour.

Verbena flowers are also edible; however, they aren’t very tasty, therefore, they are mainly used in herbs. Based on your location and climate, these plants can be grown as either annuals or perennials. The short varieties of verbena flowers can grow up to 1 ft tall and 3ft wide, however, taller varieties can be as tall as 3 to 6ft and 1 to 3ft wide.

The low-spreading varieties of verbena flowers can be grown as summer bedding plants or in hanging baskets, whereas taller varieties can be used as a backdrop for garden beds. You can also grow verbena flowers as potted plants. Verbena flower care involves using well-draining soil, full sun, and good air circulation. Let’s now explore more about Verbena flowers and their care.

Verbena Flower Care Tips

Here are some quick tips on how to grow and care for verbena flowers –

• Choose a location where these flowers can receive a minimum of 6-8 hours of sunlight.
• Keep the soil consistently moist but avoid overwatering and soggy conditions.
• Use well-draining and slightly acidic soil.
• Feed the plants once a month with a slow-release, balanced fertilizer.
• For better verbena flower care, plant them with proper spacing for good air circulation.

Water

For newly planted verbena flowers, regular watering is recommended. You can either keep the soil consistently moist or let it dry between waterings. However, do not let the soil become soggy or overwatered.

Once established, verbena is fairly drought-tolerant. However, for more blooms, give it an inch of water every week. When watering the plant, avoid the foliage.

Soil

Verbena flowers can tolerate various soil types as long as they are well-draining and slightly acidic, with a pH range of 5.5 to 7.5. Moreover, the soil should not be heavy and soggy. For potted annuals, you can use any well-draining potting soil suitable for container plants.

Sunlight

Verbena flowers are full-sun-loving plants and require a minimum of 6-8 hours of sunlight. More sunlight means more blooms. Planting them in shady areas can reduce the number of flowers and can also cause problems like mildew.

Temperature & Humidity

Most verbena flowers can grow in virtually any climate conditions, however, they thrive in the heat and humidity of summer. Verbena thrives best in daytime temperatures between 60–75°F (15–24°C), which encourages robust growth and abundant flowering. Nighttime temperatures can dip slightly, ideally staying above 60°F (15°C). However, exposure to frost or extended cold below 40°F (4°C) can cause leaf drop, dormancy, or plant death, so protection or overwintering indoors is necessary in colder regions.

Verbena thrives in both arid and humid conditions. To avoid fungal illnesses like powdery mildew, it is crucial to have adequate air circulation, particularly in humid areas. Avoid watering plants from above to keep the leaves dry, and place plants 12 to 18 inches apart to allow for airflow.

Fertilizer

Add compost or a slow-release, balanced fertilizer to the soil when planting in garden beds. Frequent blooms are maintained by monthly feeding. Water-soluble fertilizer applied regularly is beneficial for verbena cultivated in containers.

Pruning

For better verbena flower care and appearance, prune them once or twice a season. Though many contemporary types bloom well without it, deadheading the spent blooms can further increase flowering. If plants start to seem leggy, a good pruning and fertilizer treatment will encourage new growth and more blooms.

How To Propagate Verbena Flowers?

It is possible to grow verbena from cuttings as well as seeds. Cuttings are better when you want to make sure the young plants remain faithful to the parent, even though seeds can be used to establish new types. This is because seeds don’t always result in identical offspring.

Propagation through cuttings 

• Select 3–4 inches (7.5–10 cm) long, firm, green, nonflowering side shoots that are disease and pest-free.
• Cut just below a leaf node with a knife or clean, sharp scissors. Only the top one or two sets of leaves should remain after removing the lower leaves.
• To promote root growth, dip the cut end into powdered rooting hormone.
• Gritty, well-draining compost or a peat and perlite mixture should be added to a tiny pot. Make sure that at least one node is buried when you insert the cuttings around the pot’s edge.
• Water thoroughly to help the soil settle. If necessary, close the pot with a rubber band and cover it with a clear plastic bag or humidity dome to keep the humidity between 70 and 80%.
• The pot should be placed out of direct sunlight in a warm, bright area.
• After four to six weeks, check for root development by gently pulling on the cuttings or by checking for roots via the drainage holes.
• Now you can shift the cuttings to a pot or directly into the garden.

Propagation through Seeds

• Gather the brown seed pods after letting the blossoms wither on the stem.
• After a week or so, dry the pods and remove the seeds.
• Since seeds require sunshine to grow, scatter them on damp soil in the early spring without covering.
• Until germination occurs, which takes a few weeks, keep the soil wet.
• Thin and transplant as necessary until seedlings have two sets of genuine leaves.

Common Problems With Verbena Flowers

Here are some common problems that can affect the growth of verbena flowers –

• Lack of sunlight might result in poor blooms and lanky growth. Pruning will promote bushier growth and more blooms. Plants should be moved to a sunny location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight.
• Environmental stress, inadequate nutrition, or a lack of sunlight can all contribute to a failure to bloom. A balanced fertilizer that is high in phosphorus should be used, full sun should be guaranteed, and extreme weather should be avoided.
• Overhead watering, high humidity, and inadequate air circulation can all lead to powdery mildew, which appears as white, powdery patches on leaves. If necessary, use fungicide, water at the base, prevent wetting the foliage, and give plants enough space.
• Root rot may result from overwatering or poorly draining soil. You should make sure the soil drains properly, water only when the top inch is dry, prune any damaged roots, and repot if necessary.

Conclusion

Verbena flowers can add enduring color and charm to any garden or container. You can guarantee good development and lots of blooms by giving them plenty of sunlight, well-drained soil, frequent but moderate watering, and the right fertilizer. By following the right verbena flower care instructions, you can continue to enjoy the cheery beauty of verbena blooms year after year, regardless of your climate. Verbena plants may be a remarkable addition to your garden with a little care and attention, providing you with colorful blooms and a lively ambiance.