Verbena melissoides Plant Care
Verbena melissoides Sweet ex Steud.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Verbena melissoides is easily recognized by its unique lance-shaped leaves that have a silvery-green hue. Originating from South America, specifically Argentina, this plant is highly sought after by collectors for its drought tolerance and ability to attract butterflies and bees to the garden.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade- Watering: Drought tolerant once establishedSynonyms:Melissa verbena, Lemon verbena, Vervain.
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Verbena melissoides?
Water Verbena melissoides every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade- watering: drought tolerant once establishedsynonyms:melissa verbena, lemon verbena, vervain.. 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 Verbena melissoides Native To?
What Is the Verbena melissoides?
Verbena melissoides (Verbena melissoides) belongs to the Verbenaceae family within the Verbena genus. Verbena melissoides is native to Bolivia, southern Brazil, northern Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay.
Verbena melissoides displays a spreading, low-growing perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Verbena melissoides 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 Verbena melissoides?
Verbena melissoides 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 Verbena melissoides Need?
Verbena melissoides thrives in full sun to partial shade- watering: drought tolerant once establishedsynonyms:melissa verbena, lemon verbena, vervain..
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade- Watering: Drought tolerant once establishedSynonyms:Melissa verbena, Lemon verbena, Vervain.
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Verbena melissoides Prefer?
Verbena melissoides grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Verbena melissoides prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Verbena melissoides?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Verbena melissoides to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Verbena melissoides?
Feed Verbena melissoides 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 Verbena melissoides?
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 Verbena melissoides?
Verbena melissoides can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to verbena aristigera plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Verbena melissoides Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Verbena melissoides, 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 Verbena melissoides?
Verbena melissoides 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 Verbena melissoides Need?
Verbena melissoides grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Verbena melissoides is native to Bolivia, southern Brazil, northern Argentina, Paraguay, and Uruguay. In cooler regions, grow Verbena melissoides as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Verbena melissoides 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.
Verbena melissoides 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 melissoides Sweet ex Steud., family Verbenaceae (first published in Nomencl. Bot. , ed. 2, 2: 750 (1841)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Verbena melissoides, 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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