Riesen - Zitronenverbene 'Giant Lippia'

Season Overview

Description

Lemon verbena grows as a perennial, deciduous shrub. Its lanceolate leaves contain fresh lemon-scented essential oils. The intensity is considerably stronger than that of most other lemon-scented plants. In summer, drinks can be refined with fresh lemon verbena. But a tea made from the dried leaves is also very beneficial in winter. A steam bath with lemon verbena leaves is both relaxing and invigorating. Healing properties of Aloysia citrodora The leaves and flowers of lemon verbena are drunk as an aromatic tea, which has a calming effect on digestive problems, nervousness and insomnia. The dried leaves are not only used in cosmetic products such as soaps or shower gels, but are also used in scented sachets for closets. Use in the kitchen The lemon aroma of the leaves gives yoghurts, desserts and cakes a special flavor. Lemon verbena is also suitable for seasoning and refining salads, herbal dishes and meat.

Growing tips

Lemon verbena is a perennial, but must be overwintered indoors at a temperature of at least 10 °C in colder climates. Lemon verbena loses some or all of its leaves during the winter. Pruning the shrub is recommended. Which location does lemon verbena prefer? Lemon verbena needs a warm, sunny and sheltered spot. It is possible to plant the plant out and pot it up again in September for overwintering. You can also grow lemon verbena exclusively in a pot and place it against a sunny wall during the summer months. Soil and substrate When planted out, lemon verbena should be grown in well-drained soil. It also thrives well in pots in a humus-rich substrate enriched with expanded clay. Planting Plant the culinary herb in spring in loose, well-drained soil in a bed or a sufficiently large pot. If planting in a pot, add some slow-release fertilizer to the substrate. Caring for lemon verbena Water the lemon verbena sufficiently in summer. During the growth phase, you can also provide the semi-shrub with fertilizer every four weeks or so. In late summer after the harvest, the lemon verbena should be cut back. This involves removing old inflorescences and reshaping the plant at the same time. The actual pruning takes place in spring. The shoots of the lemon verbena are then cut back to the base of new shoots. In the fall, before storing the plant in its winter quarters, cut it back by about two thirds. If the plant is grown in a pot, it should be repotted in a larger container every one to two years. Harvesting and preservation You can harvest and process the leaves fresh as required. The best time to harvest the leaves is shortly after flowering begins in July. This is when the leaves have the most aroma. Dried leaves can be stored in a dark place in a screw-top jar, where they will retain their aroma for up to three years. Winter protection or overwintering As soon as the temperature drops below four degrees Celsius, the plant should be moved to its winter quarters. Shorten the shoots to a third beforehand and place the plant in a pot or tub in a bright and warm place. Water the lemon bush carefully from time to time and check it regularly for spider mite and whitefly infestation. Alternatively, a cool and dark cellar room is also suitable for overwintering. The shrub will shed its leaves there and should only be watered sporadically. From March, you can water the lemon verbena more frequently again and slowly accustom it to more light. From May - when there is no longer any threat of frost - the medicinal and aromatic herb can be placed outside again or planted out. Before putting it outside, you should thin out or cut back older plants in particular. Propagation You can propagate lemon verbena by seeds and cuttings. To do this, sow the seeds in spring under glass at 15 degrees Celsius. The seeds will germinate after around 15 to 20 days. When the seedlings are large enough, they can be pricked out into ten-centimeter pots. However, they then usually have to be cultivated in a pot under glass for another two years before they can be planted out. For this reason, propagation by cuttings is recommended. In early summer, cut cuttings about 15 centimetres long from the woody branches and place them in pots with potting compost. Keep the pots in a bright place at around 20 to 22 degrees Celsius until rooting. Diseases and pests Lemon verbena is extremely robust and not very susceptible to plant diseases. Spider mites and whitefly occasionally occur.

Details

Light requirement

Sunny

Water requirement

Moist

Soil

Light (sandy)

Nutrient requirement

Low

Light germinator

Germination temperature

15 – 20 °C (Degrees Celsius)

Plant distance

50 cm

Row spacing

50 cm

Seeding depth

0.5 cm