How to start verbena from seed, care for young plants and mature specimens, plus the benefits and advantages of growing verbena in your garden.
Quick summary
Verbena (many garden forms including Verbena x hybrida and upright types like V. bonariensis) is typically sown indoors 8–12 weeks before last frost or direct-sown after frost. It prefers full sun, very well-drained soil, and is valued for long summer–fall blooms and strong pollinator attraction.
1) How to grow from seed
Indoor seed starting (recommended)
Timing: Sow 8–12 weeks before last frost. Some guides say 10–12 weeks for best results.
Pre-treatment: Some varieties benefit from a short cold stratification (refrigerator) or an alternating cool/warm regime to break dormancy.
Medium & sowing: Use a fine, well-draining seed mix. Press seeds onto the surface or cover very lightly—many verbena seeds need light or very shallow cover. Keep surface evenly moist.
Germination: Expect 7–28 days depending on species and temperature; typical range 10–21 days. Maintain warm daytime temps (~21–24 °C / 70–75 °F) and slightly cooler nights if possible. :
Potting on: Transplant when seedlings have true leaves; harden off for 7–10 days before planting outside.
Direct sow outdoors
When: Sow after last frost and soil has warmed.
Site: Full sun and very well-drained soil; verbena likes slightly lean, well-draining mixes rather than heavy fertile soils.
Sow & thin: Press seeds onto surface or cover very lightly. Keep moist until established; thin seedlings or space 12–18" for groundcover types, wider for tall varieties.
2) Care & maintenance
Aspect
Guideline
Light
Full sun (6–8+ hours daily) for best flowering. Some types tolerate partial shade but bloom less.
Soil
Very well-drained, moderately fertile to lean soil. Improve heavy clay with grit or coarse sand. Avoid waterlogging to prevent root rot and powdery mildew.
Water
Keep seedlings evenly moist until established. Mature plants are drought-tolerant—water deeply but infrequently; allow the top soil to dry between waterings.
Fertilizer
Light feeding at planting or monthly low-strength feed during the season; too much nitrogen gives leafy, fewer blooms.
Pruning / Deadheading
Remove spent blooms to prolong flowering. Trim back leggy growth mid-season to encourage fresh shoots. Taller types can be cut back after flowering to promote a second flush.
Pests & diseases
Generally pest-resistant but watch for aphids, spider mites, and fungal issues where humidity and poor airflow occur. Improve drainage and airflow to reduce problems.
3) Benefits & advantages
Pollinator magnet: Verbena is excellent for bees, butterflies and hummingbirds, often blooming late into the season when other nectar sources are low
Long bloom period: Many garden verbenas flower from late spring through fall with proper deadheading and care.
Versatile forms: Available as low groundcovers, trailing types for baskets, and tall airy specimens (e.g., V. bonariensis)—use in beds, borders, containers and pollinator gardens.
Low maintenance: Tolerant of heat and drought once established; typically easy to grow from seed or cuttings.
Landscape value: Good for mass plantings, erosion control on slopes (trailing types), and providing seasonal color at relatively low cost from seed.
4) Troubleshooting & quick tips
No germination: Ensure light exposure (do not bury seeds deeply), maintain warm germination temps and consider cold-stratification or alternating warm/cool nights for dormant seed lots.
Leggy seedlings: Provide stronger light and cooler post-germination temps; avoid over-fertilizing.
Powdery mildew / rot: Reduce watering on foliage, improve air circulation, and avoid crowded planting. Choose well-drained sites.
Tip: If you want continuous color in containers, choose trailing verbenas and rotate several pots so as some finish you have others starting to flower.
