Lemon Verbena (Sweet scented verbena)
Aloysia citrodora (syn. Aloysia triphylla) · Deciduous woody shrub / Small ornamental sub-tree
Plant Family
Verbenaceae (Verbena family)
Tree Category
Aromatic / Medicinal Shrub / Small Tree
Variety / Cultivar
Standard species (Aloysia citrodora)
Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8 through 10 (semi-hardy; behaves as an herbaceous perennial or houseplant in colder zones).
About This Tree
Lemon Verbena is a perennial woody shrub or small multi-stemmed tree with a loose, open, and arching habit. It is famous for its intensely lemon-scented leaves when bruised or crushed.
Leaf Characteristics
Lanceolate, simple, light green leaves arranged in whorls of three or four along square stems; fine pointed tips with slightly rough texture and smooth to slightly wavy margins.
Bark Characteristics
Young stems are square, green, and smooth, maturing into light brown, slightly ridged, and woody main stems/trunk.
Growing Information
Origin Region
Native to South America (Argentina, Paraguay, Brazil, Uruguay, Chile, Bolivia, and Peru)
Growing Season
Spring through autumn; produces tiny white-to-purple flowers in mid to late summer and loses leaves after frost.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Full sun (at least 6 hours of direct light daily); prefers well-drained soil with regular, moderate watering, allowing upper soil layer to dry between waterings.
Mature Size
Typically 6 to 10 feet (1.8–3 m) tall and 4 to 8 feet wide; fast growth rate.
Special Characteristics
Highly aromatic citrus fragrance; leaves widely used for herbal teas, essential oils, culinary seasonings, and natural pest repellent.
Wildlife & Ecology
Attracts bees, butterflies, and small pollinating insects with its tiny summer flower spikes; generally resistant to deer and rabbits due to volatile aromatic oils.