Verbena Verbena bonariensis
Verbena (Verbena bonariensis) is a deciduous perennial flowering plant in the Verbenaceae family. It grows 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) tall and 40–60 cm (16–24 in) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about -8 °C (18 °F). Space plants about 45 cm (18 in) apart.
Plan Verbena in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Verbena at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, deciduous |
|---|---|
| Family | Verbenaceae |
| Mature height | 1–1.8 m (3.3–5.9 ft) |
| Mature spread | 40–60 cm (16–24 in) |
| Spacing | 45 cm (18 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Cold hardiness | About -8 °C (18 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 8) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about June for 14–21 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | High |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Common in gardens of | 🇬🇧 United Kingdom, 🇺🇸 United States, 🇧🇷 Brazil, 🇦🇺 Australia |
Is Verbena toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Verbena is not known to be toxic to people or pets.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Verbena
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Verbena in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Longwood Gardens (10 plants)
Questions about Verbena
- How far apart should I plant Verbena?
- About 45 cm (18 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 40–60 cm (16–24 in).
- Does Verbena need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Verbena need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Verbena?
- It tolerates about -8 °C (18 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 8.
- When does Verbena flower?
- From about June for 14–21 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Verbena poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Verbena is not known to be toxic to people or pets.
- What grows well with Verbena?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Verbena. Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade C (C: plausible, mixed evidence).
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- FAO Irrigation and Drainage Paper 56 — Crop Evapotranspiration, FAO
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- University extension gardening guides (general), Various land-grant university extensions
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-cultivar values; varieties differ.
- Self-seeds freely; short-lived perennial.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Lemon verbena Aloysia citrodora
- Mexican oregano Lippia graveolens
- Lantana Lantana camara
- Vervain (common verbena) Verbena officinalis
- Golden dewdrop (sky flower, duranta) Duranta erecta
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia