Verbena, which blooms readily, is non-toxic and can be used dried to prepare tea and incense mixtures. Newcomers should not be afraid to plant this plant on the balcony. If you know how, it is extremely easy to care for.

Preliminary considerations for planting on the balcony

Verbena is ideal as a traffic light plant for pots, tubs or balcony boxes. (109.00€) But beware: Since verbena can develop long roots, the planter should be deep enough. A suitable location and a substrate suitable for the plants must also be observed when planting.

The location should be bright. Sunny to partially shaded locations such as south-facing, east-facing and west-facing balconies are ideal. Verbena can handle wind well. Nevertheless, a sheltered location is preferable. The substrate - generally uniform earth is suitable - should have the following properties:

  • well drained
  • slightly sour
  • moderately nutritious
  • humorous

You can grow your verbena on the window sill from February using seeds. The room should have a temperature between 19 and 20 °C. The seeds will germinate in 2 to 3 weeks if kept moist. From May your verbena can be relocated and get some fresh air on the balcony…

Care measures: watering, fertilizing, cutting

Vervain tolerates a dry soil for a short time. On the other hand, it cannot get used to wetness in the root area. Therefore, it should be watered regularly but sparingly. Check the soil: it may be half an inch dry.

Verbena on the balcony should be supplied with a liquid fertilizer such as guano fertilizer every two to four weeks. Then the flowering lasts longer. If you want to use the herb for consumption or tea, you should use organic fertilizer.

Another care aspect is cutting. In the case of verbena, the old leaves and, in summer, the withered inflorescences should be removed. It is also advisable to cut off the shoot tips of young plants so that they grow bushier and produce more flowers.

Overwinter or sow again?

Vervain is not very hardy. Since overwintering is associated with effort, it is advisable to sow the herb every year. Sometimes it also multiplies by self-seeding.

tips and tricks

If you want to plant several specimens next to each other, keep a minimum distance of 30 cm between them.

KKF

Category:

Indoor plants