Lemon Verbena

The best lemon scented herb available and also a beauty in the garden, forming an elegant shrub. Leaves release their refreshing fragrance each time they’re touched, making this herb a good choice for planting near outdoor living areas or paths, where you can enjoy its lemony scent. Uses are unlimited, from flavouring icecream, sorbets, cakes, fruit syrups and spritzers to adding scents to your favourite crafts such as making soaps, perfumes and cosmetics. Excellent added to a range of beverages and makes one of the best herbal teas.
 
Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is a fragrant herb celebrated for its intense lemon scent, culinary versatility, and therapeutic properties. With its vibrant aroma and zesty flavor, lemon verbena adds a burst of citrusy goodness to dishes, teas, and herbal remedies.
 
Culinary Use:
Lemon verbena's bright, citrusy flavor makes it a prized ingredient in the culinary world. Its fresh leaves can be used to infuse a variety of dishes with a tangy, lemony essence. In culinary applications, lemon verbena adds depth and complexity to both sweet and savory recipes. It can be used to flavor desserts such as cakes, cookies, and sorbets, as well as savory dishes like salads, marinades, and sauces. Additionally, lemon verbena makes a delightful addition to herbal teas, lemonades, and cocktails, imparting a refreshing twist to beverages. Whether used fresh or dried, lemon verbena adds a vibrant burst of flavor to any culinary creation.
 
Planting and Harvesting:
Lemon verbena is a half hardy perennial herb that thrives in warm, sunny conditions with well-drained soil. When planting lemon verbena, provide ample space between plants to allow for optimal growth and airflow. Regular pruning encourages bushy growth and ensures a continuous supply of fresh leaves for culinary and medicinal use. To harvest lemon verbena, simply snip off individual leaves or stems as needed, taking care not to remove more than one-third of the plant at a time. Harvested leaves can be used immediately or dried for later use, preserving their intense lemon flavor and aroma.
 
Medicinal Use:
Lemon verbena has a long history of medicinal use for promoting digestion, relieving stress, and supporting overall well-being. Its aromatic leaves contain compounds such as citral and limonene, which have natural anti-inflammatory and antioxidant properties. Lemon verbena tea, brewed from the leaves of the plant, is consumed as a digestive aid, helping to ease indigestion, bloating, and stomach cramps. It is also used to alleviate symptoms of anxiety, depression, and insomnia, providing a sense of calm and relaxation. Additionally, lemon verbena's uplifting scent and invigorating properties make it a popular ingredient in aromatherapy and herbal remedies for promoting mental clarity and emotional balance.
 
Ecological Benefits:
Lemon verbena is highly attractive to pollinators, such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, with its fragrant flowers and abundant nectar. By planting lemon verbena in the garden, you can help support pollinator populations and promote biodiversity in the area. Bees, in particular, are drawn to the sweet scent of lemon verbena flowers and rely on them for food and nectar. In addition to its value as a pollinator plant, lemon verbena also provides habitat and food for various beneficial insects, such as ladybugs and lacewings, which help control garden pests. The dense foliage and aromatic scent of lemon verbena offer shelter and protection for insects and small animals, contributing to the overall health and balance of the ecosystem
 
Genus: Aloysia citrodora
Aspect: Full Sun
Type: Perennial
Hardiness: Half Hardy
Height: 1.5 - 2.5 metres 
Spread: 1.5 - 2.5 metres