Verbena
Verbena x hybrida • Verbenaceae
🌱 Seed Category
Flower
🌍 Origin Region
South America and North America, widely cultivated globally in temperate and subtropical regions
📅 Days to Maturity
70-90 days from sowing to first bloom, with a continuous flowering window through the summer until the first hard frost.
🌡️ Hardiness Zones
USDA Hardiness Zones 8-11, commonly grown as an annual in colder zones 3-7.
About This Seed
The seeds are small, elongated, brown, and somewhat rod-shaped with a rough texture. The resulting plant is a compact, mounding or trailing annual growing 8-12 inches tall, featuring dark green serrated foliage and dense clusters of striking bicolored red and white flowers.
Growing Information
Growing Season
Spring to Summer, start indoors 8-12 weeks before the last frost, moderate frost tolerance once established
Germination
Germination takes 14-21 days at an optimal soil temperature of 70-75°F. Seeds require darkness for optimal germination, so cover them lightly with soil or vermiculite. No stratification is typically required.
Planting Instructions
Plant seeds 1/8 inch deep, spacing them 8-12 inches apart in well-draining, fertile loam soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0.
Sunlight & Water Needs
Requires full sun, at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight daily. Water regularly to keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged; exhibits good drought tolerance once established.
Companion Plants
Companion plants include marigolds, petunias, salvias, and zinnias. Avoid planting near aggressive, tall growers that might block its sunlight.
Special Characteristics
Highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. Features excellent powdery mildew resistance, heat tolerance, and drought tolerance.