The Best Companion Plants For Lemon Verbena

Title: The Best Companion Plants for Lemon Verbena

Introduction:

Lemon verbena is a beautiful and fragrant herb that is perfect for adding a touch of citrus to any garden. It is also a relatively easy plant to grow, making it a great choice for beginner gardeners. However, like all plants, lemon verbena can benefit from having the right companion plants.

Companion planting is the practice of planting certain plants together in order to create a mutually beneficial relationship. Some plants can help to deter pests, attract pollinators, or improve the overall health of their neighbors. When choosing companion plants for lemon verbena, it is important to consider the plant's growing conditions and the benefits that you are hoping to achieve.

Main Content:

Here are some of the best companion plants for lemon verbena:

• Basil: Basil is a popular herb that is known for its insect-repelling properties. It can help to keep pests away from lemon verbena, such as aphids, spider mites, and whiteflies. Basil also attracts beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which can help to control pests.
• Cilantro: Cilantro is another herb that can help to deter pests from lemon verbena. It also has the added benefit of attracting pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. This can help to improve the pollination of lemon verbena flowers, which can lead to a larger harvest of seeds or fruits.
• Dill: Dill is a fragrant herb that can help to repel pests such as carrot flies and cabbage moths. It can also help to improve the flavor of lemon verbena leaves.
• Garlic: Garlic is a well-known pest deterrent. It can help to keep away a variety of pests, including aphids, spider mites, and Japanese beetles. Garlic can also help to improve the flavor of lemon verbena leaves.
• Lemon balm: Lemon balm is a member of the mint family, and it has a similar lemony scent to lemon verbena. The two plants can be planted together to create a fragrant border or hedge. Lemon balm can also help to repel pests such as aphids and spider mites.
• Marigolds: Marigolds are known for their bright orange and yellow flowers, but they also have insect-repelling properties. They can help to keep away a variety of pests, including aphids, whiteflies, and nematodes. Marigolds can also help to improve the drainage of soil, which can benefit lemon verbena plants.
• Peas: Peas are a nitrogen-fixing plant, which means that they can help to improve the nitrogen content of the soil. This can benefit lemon verbena plants, as nitrogen is an important nutrient for plant growth. Peas can also help to shade the roots of lemon verbena plants, which can help to prevent them from drying out.
• Tomatoes: Tomatoes are another nitrogen-fixing plant. They can also help to attract pollinators, such as bees and butterflies. This can help to improve the pollination of lemon verbena flowers, which can lead to a larger harvest of seeds or fruits.

Conclusion:

By choosing the right companion plants for lemon verbena, you can help to create a healthy and productive garden. The plants listed above are just a few of the many that can benefit lemon verbena. When choosing companion plants, it is important to consider the plant's growing conditions and the benefits that you are hoping to achieve.

Lemon verbena is a beautiful and fragrant herb that can be grown in many different climates. It is also a great companion plant for other herbs and vegetables. Some of the best lemon verbena companion plants include:

• Dill: Dill helps to deter spider mites, which can be a problem for lemon verbena.
• Basil: Basil and lemon verbena both have a strong aroma, which can help to repel pests.
• Garlic: Garlic is another good pest deterrent, and it can also help to improve the flavor of lemon verbena.
• Cilantro: Cilantro and lemon verbena both thrive in full sun and well-drained soil.
• Bee balm: Bee balm is a pollinator magnet, which can help to increase the yield of your other crops.

For more information about lemon verbena companion plants, please visit Home Gardening.

FAQ of lemon verbena companion plants

• What are some good companion plants for lemon verbena?

  Lemon verbena is a relatively easy-to-grow herb that can be planted in a variety of different conditions. However, there are some companion plants that can help to improve its growth and health. Some good options include:

  • Cilantro: Cilantro is a popular herb that shares the same growing conditions as lemon verbena. It can help to deter spider mites, which are a common pest of lemon verbena.
  • Basil: Basil is another easy-to-grow herb that is known for its strong fragrance. It can help to repel mosquitoes and other insects.
  • Garlic: Garlic is a pungent herb that can help to keep away pests and diseases. It can also help to improve the flavor of lemon verbena.
  • Dill: Dill is a fragrant herb that can help to attract pollinators. It can also help to improve the drainage of the soil around lemon verbena.
  • Lemon balm: Lemon balm is a lemon-scented herb that is closely related to lemon verbena. It can help to deter pests and diseases, and it can also improve the flavor of lemon verbena.

• How far apart should lemon verbena plants be planted?

  Lemon verbena plants can grow quite large, so it is important to space them accordingly. In general, you should plant lemon verbena plants 12 to 18 inches apart. If you are planting them in a container, choose one that is at least 12 inches in diameter.

• What type of soil does lemon verbena need?

  Lemon verbena prefers well-drained soil that is rich in organic matter. The pH of the soil should be slightly acidic, between 6.1 and 7.0. If your soil is not acidic enough, you can add some peat moss or compost to it.

• How much water does lemon verbena need?

  Lemon verbena needs regular watering, especially during hot, dry weather. Water the plants deeply so that the water reaches the roots. However, be careful not to overwater them, as this can lead to root rot.

• How much sun does lemon verbena need?

  Lemon verbena needs full sun in order to thrive. If you live in a hot climate, you may want to provide some afternoon shade.

• How do I propagate lemon verbena?

  There are a few different ways to propagate lemon verbena. The easiest way is to take cuttings. Simply cut a 4- to 6-inch stem from a healthy plant and remove the bottom leaves. Plant the cutting in a pot of well-draining soil and keep it moist. The cutting should root in about two weeks.

• How do I overwinter lemon verbena?

  If you live in a cold climate, you will need to overwinter lemon verbena indoors. Bring the plant indoors in the fall and place it in a bright, sunny window. Water the plant sparingly during the winter months. In the spring, you can replant the lemon verbena outdoors.

Image of lemon verbena companion plants

1. Rosemary

• Rosemary and lemon verbena are both Mediterranean herbs that enjoy similar growing conditions. They can be planted together in a sunny spot with well-drained soil. Rosemary helps to repel pests and diseases, while lemon verbena's lemony scent can help to deter mosquitoes.

2. Lavender

• Lavender and lemon verbena are both fragrant herbs that can be planted together in a sunny spot. They can help to attract pollinators and deter pests. Lavender's purple flowers can also help to brighten up a garden bed.

3. Cilantro

• Cilantro and lemon verbena can be planted together in a container or in the ground. They both enjoy full sun and well-drained soil. Cilantro can help to repel aphids and other pests, while lemon verbena's lemony scent can help to deter mosquitoes.

4. Marigolds

• Marigolds and lemon verbena can be planted together in a sunny spot. Marigolds help to repel nematodes, which can damage the roots of lemon verbena plants. They also attract pollinators, which can help to pollinate the lemon verbena flowers.

5. Basil

• Basil and lemon verbena can be planted together in a container or in the ground. They both enjoy full sun and well-drained soil. Basil can help to repel mosquitoes and other insects, while lemon verbena's lemony scent can help to deter them.

6. Mint

• Mint and lemon verbena can be planted together in a container, as mint can be invasive and take over a garden bed. They both enjoy full sun and well-drained soil. Mint can help to repel mosquitoes and other insects, while lemon verbena's lemony scent can help to deter them.

7. Tomatoes

• Tomatoes and lemon verbena can be planted together in a sunny spot. Lemon verbena's lemony scent can help to deter pests, such as whiteflies and aphids, that can damage tomato plants.

8. Sage

• Sage and lemon verbena can be planted together in a sunny spot. They both enjoy well-drained soil and can help to repel pests. Sage's blue flowers can also help to brighten up a garden bed.

9. Oregano

• Oregano and lemon verbena can be planted together in a sunny spot. They both enjoy well-drained soil and can help to repel pests. Oregano's purple flowers can also help to brighten up a garden bed.

10. Chives

• Chives and lemon verbena can be planted together in a sunny spot. They both enjoy well-drained soil and can help to attract pollinators. Chives' purple flowers can also help to brighten up a garden bed.