The flowering verbena is non-toxic and can be used dried to make tea and incense mixtures. Newbies should not be afraid to plant this plant on the balcony. If you know how, it is extremely easy to care for.
How do I care for verbena on the balcony?
Vervain can easily be planted on the balcony. Choose a deep planter, a sunny to partially shaded location and a well-drained, slightly acidic, moderately nutrient-rich and humus-rich substrate. Water regularly, fertilize sparingly and cut off old leaves and wilted inflorescences.
Preliminary considerations for planting on the balcony
Vervain is ideal as an hanging basket plant for pots, tubs or balcony boxes. But be careful: Since verbena can develop long roots, the planter should be deep enough. Also important to consider when planting is a suitable location and a plant-friendly substrate.
The location should be bright. Sunny to semi-shady locations such as south-facing, east- and west-facing balconies are ideal. Verbena can handle wind well. However, a location protected from the wind is preferable. The substrate - standard earth is generally suitable - should have the following properties:
- well drained
- slightly sour
- moderately nutritious
- humos
You can grow your verbena using seeds on the windowsill from February. The room should have a temperature between 19 and 20 °C. The seeds will germinate after 2 to 3 weeks if kept moist. From May onwards, your verbena can be relocated and get some fresh air on the balcony
Care measures: watering, fertilizing, cutting
Vervain tolerates dry soil for a short time. On the other hand, it cannot tolerate moisture in the root area. Therefore, it should be watered regularly but sparingly. Check the soil: it may be half a finger deep dry.
On the balcony, verbena should be fed every two to four weeks with a liquid fertilizer (€13.00 on Amazon), such as guano fertilizer. Then the flowering lasts longer. If you want to use the herb for consumption or tea, you should use organic fertilizer.
Another aspect of care is cutting. The old leaves of verbena and, in summer, the withered inflorescences should be removed. It is also advisable to cut off the shoot tips of young plants so that they subsequently grow bushier and produce more flowers.
Overwinter or re-sow?
Vervain is not very hardy. Since overwintering requires effort, it is advisable to sow the herb every year. Sometimes it also propagates through self-sowing.
Tips & Tricks
If you want to plant several specimens next to each other, keep a minimum distance of 30 cm between them.
