It is growing and thriving splendidly. But suddenly it has a miserable existence: the leaves are affected by mildew and the flowers wither prematurely. Care errors could be to blame. Find out below what care verbena requires.
How do I properly care for my verbena?
Vervain care includes regular watering without waterlogging, sparing fertilization, occasional removal of wilted inflorescences and old leaves. There is an optional overwintering in a dark, cool place. Propagation occurs through sowing or self-propagation.
How should verbena be watered and fertilized?
Since verbena prefers to grow in sunny locations, it should be watered there regularly. But don't worry: the herb can cope well with dry soil at times. However, it cannot tolerate waterlogging.
Fertilizing should be done sparingly. Verbena prefers lean to moderately nutrient-rich substrates. It should be fertilized, especially if it grows in a pot or bucket on the balcony. Fertilizer can be added in the form of liquid fertilizer (€3.00 on Amazon) every two to three weeks. Fertilizing stimulates growth and ensures abundance of flowers.
How to propagate verbena?
Vervain likes to reproduce on its own. The seeds come from the inconspicuous hermitage fruits. If you want to take the sowing of verbena into your own hands, you should proceed as follows:
- prefer to stay at home between February and March
- Cover seeds discreetly with soil
- they germinate at 20 °C
- Seedlings appear after 2 to 3 weeks
- plant from May
When should verbena be cut?
Vervain generally does not need to be cut. However, it is advisable to cut off its withered inflorescences. This should be done regularly. Whenever you see wilted flower heads, cut them off. A few weeks later, new flowers appeared in their place. As a result, the flowering period of verbena lasts longer.
Furthermore, in order to preserve the he althy appearance of the plant, you should clean out the old and dried leaves. Last but not least, experts recommend deadheading the young plants after sowing. The result is bushier growing plants.
Is it necessary to overwinter verbena?
Vervain is considered to be sensitive to cold. However, it often survives the winter. If you want and have planted it in a pot, you can overwinter it in a safe place. To do this, cut down the verbena in autumn, take the pot and place it in a dark and cool place such as the cellar.
Tips & Tricks
Time-consuming care can be avoided from the outset by giving the verbena an ideal location.