Lemon Verbena is a perennial herb in milder climates. The plant will survive temperatures down to 27 F (-2 C) if grown out of the wind, but in places where a real winter happens, it’s best planted in pots and brought in doors during the winter. It will die back completely and play dead, but then spring back the next spring.
New plants can grow from seed or cuttings.
The plant grows grow 2 to 5 feet tall (1/2 to 1 1/2 metres.) The long, narrow, pointy leaves grow in whorls of 3.
Except perhaps for Lemon Myrtle, it is the most intense of all lemon-scented herbs.
Lemon Verbena has not been used a lot in European cooking.
Cooking Tips
Good with fresh fruit. Gives not just a lemon scent, but a lemon flavour as well.
History Notes
Lemon Verbena is native to Argentina, Chile and Peru. In the 1800s, it was used by Europeans and North Americans as an ornamental garden plant.
Language Notes
“Verbena” means “leafy branch” in Latin.