California Verbena Plant Care
Verbena californica Moldenke
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Verbena californica is a rare species of verbena known by the common names California vervain and Red Hills vervain. This flower is endemic to Tuolumne County, California, where it is known from ten or eleven occurrences in the Red Hills, a section of the Sierra Nevada foothills near Chinese Camp.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for California Verbena?
Water California Verbena 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.
Where Is the California Verbena Native To?
What Is the California Verbena?
California Verbena (Verbena californica) belongs to the Verbenaceae family within the Verbena genus. California Verbena is native to Tuolumne County, California.
California Verbena displays a spreading, low-growing perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. California Verbena 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 California Verbena?
Verbena californica 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 California Verbena Need?
California Verbena thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the California Verbena Prefer?
Verbena californica grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. California Verbena prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a California Verbena?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for California Verbena to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a California Verbena?
Feed California Verbena 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 California Verbena?
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 California Verbena?
California Verbena can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to verbena aristigera plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the California Verbena Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list California Verbena, 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 California Verbena?
California Verbena 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 California Verbena Need?
California Verbena grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. California Verbena is native to Tuolumne County, California. In cooler regions, grow California Verbena as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
California Verbena 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.
California Verbena 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 californica Moldenke, family Verbenaceae (first published in Known Geogr. Distr. Verbenac. Avicenn. : 79 (1942)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list California Verbena, 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.
- 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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