Photo: © Daniel IseliPlantoScanImage: PlantoScan
Purpletop Vervain Plant Care
Verbena bonariensis L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Verbena bonariensis, commonly known as the purpletop vervain, clustertop vervain, Argentinian vervain, tall verbena or pretty verbena, is a member of the verbena family cultivated as a flowering annual or herbaceous perennial plant. In United States horticulture, it is also known by the ambiguous names purpletop and South American vervain.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Purpletop Vervain?
Water Purpletop Vervain every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Purpletop Vervain?
Purpletop Vervain (Verbena bonariensis) belongs to the Verbenaceae family within the Verbena genus. Purpletop Vervain is also known as Tall Verbena, Climbing Verbena, South American Verbena.
Purpletop Vervain displays a spreading, low-growing perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Purpletop Vervain produces small, colorful clusters of flowers in shades of purple, pink, red, or white.
Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Purpletop Vervain?
Verbena bonariensis requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Purpletop Vervain Need?
Purpletop Vervain thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Purpletop Vervain Prefer?
Verbena bonariensis grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Purpletop Vervain prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Purpletop Vervain?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Purpletop Vervain to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Purpletop Vervain?
Feed Purpletop Vervain every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Purpletop Vervain?
Repot annually in spring to refresh soil and encourage growth. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Purpletop Vervain?
Purpletop Vervain can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to verbena aristigera plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Purpletop Vervain Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Purpletop Vervain, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Purpletop Vervain?
Purpletop Vervain is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Purpletop Vervain Need?
Purpletop Vervain grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. In cooler regions, grow Purpletop Vervain as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Purpletop Vervain is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Verbena genus — compare its care with other Verbena species on PlantoScan.
Verbena is part of the Verbenaceae plant family — browse all Verbenaceae genera and species.
Purpletop Vervain thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Verbena Species
Other Verbena species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Verbena bonariensis L., family Verbenaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 20 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Purpletop Vervain, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: © Daniel Iseli, PlantoScan.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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