How to Grow Lemon Verbena in New Zealand
Updated June 2026
Intensely fragrant shrub whose dried leaves hold their lemon scent for years, ideal for teas, desserts and cordials. Give it a warm, sheltered, sunny spot, as it is tender to hard frost. Deciduous over a cool winter, it shoots strongly again in spring.
When to plant lemon verbena in New Zealand
Timing is everything in New Zealand, where the warm north and the cooler south are weeks apart. Sow or plant in these months for your region:
| Region | When to sow or plant |
|---|---|
| Northland | January, September, October, November, December |
| Auckland | January, September, October, November, December |
| Waikato & BoP | January, September, October, November, December |
| Wellington | January, October, November, December |
| Nelson & Marlborough | January, October, November, December |
| Canterbury | November, December |
| Otago & Southland | November, December |
| Central Otago | December |
Best lemon verbena varieties for NZ
- Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora), Intensely lemon-scented deciduous shrub for teas and desserts, grown from plants or cuttings. (Garden centres, herb nurseries)
How to grow lemon verbena
- Space plants about 100cm apart.
- Sow seed around 0.5cm deep.
- Position: full sun.
- Ready to harvest in roughly 90 days.
- Seeds germinate in about 14 days.
Companion planting
Grow lemon verbena near: Tomato, Beans.
Pests and problems
Watch for: Spider mite, Aphids. See our NZ pest and disease guide for organic control.
🌱 Plant Lemon Verbena in your garden →For a calendar tuned to your exact region, see the New Zealand planting guides or the Lemon Verbena plant page.
FAQ
When is the best time to plant lemon verbena in New Zealand?
In the warm north (Auckland, Northland) sow in January, September, October, November, December. Cooler regions plant a little later. Check the table above for your region.
Where can I buy lemon verbena seeds or plants in NZ?
Try Garden centres, herb nurseries.