Garden Care Guide

Verbena Care

Verbena x hybrida

A classic summer annual flower that likes all-day sun and well-drained soil. It is tolerant of drought and heat. To keep it flowering abundantly all summer, faded flowers should be removed regularly and it should be cut back occasionally.

Half-hardy · -8 °C / 18 °F

Monthly care calendar

Timings are for a temperate Northern Hemisphere climate. In warmer areas tasks start earlier, in colder areas later; in the Southern Hemisphere shift them by six months.

January
  • General care: Plan the planting area for next season and enrich the soil by adding organic matter (compost, well-rotted manure). Ensure good drainage.
  • Pests & diseases: Deep tillage can be done to reduce pests in the soil.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -8 °C.
February
  • General care: Continue soil preparation. Aerate the area to be sown and clear it of weeds.
  • Pests & diseases: You can determine nutrient deficiencies by doing a soil analysis.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -8 °C.
March
  • General care: You can start the seeds indoors or in a greenhouse toward the end of the month. Wait for the soil temperature to become suitable for sowing.
  • Pests & diseases: Prevent fungal diseases (damping-off) in young seedlings by using clean soil and pots.
  • Frost risk: There is still a risk of frost for outdoor sowing.
April
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: Give liquid fertilizer once a month.
  • Pruning: For a sturdier structure, you can remove the tips of young seedlings (pinching).
  • Plant protection: Protect young seedlings against slugs and snails.
  • General care: Once the risk of last frost has passed (early in this month), plant seedlings outdoors or sow seeds directly.
  • Pests & diseases: Provide good drainage to prevent root rot.
  • Frost risk: At the start of the month there may still be a slight risk; protect seedlings.
May
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Give liquid fertilizer once a month.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Check for aphids. Be watchful for powdery mildew.
  • General care: Spread a 5-7 cm layer of mulch over the root zone; it retains soil moisture and suppresses weeds. Do not pile mulch against the trunk.
  • Pests & diseases: Wetting the leaves increases the risk of powdery mildew; apply the water to the root zone.
June
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Give liquid fertilizer once a month.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Be careful of powdery mildew and spider mites (in hot, dry weather). Use a sulfur-based fungicide if necessary.
  • General care: As plants grow, space them further apart to improve air circulation.
  • Pests & diseases: Powdery mildew is its biggest problem; good airflow is preventive.
July
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Give liquid fertilizer once a month.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Be on the alert for spider mites and other sucking insects.
  • General care: After pruning, the plant will produce new shoots and flowers.
  • Pests & diseases: Heat stress can weaken the plant, so regular watering is important.
August
  • Watering: Water deeply twice a week; prefer infrequent and generous watering over small and frequent. Water so that the soil is wetted 10-15 cm down from the surface.
  • Fertilizing: Give liquid fertilizer once a month.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Continue pest control.
  • General care: The plant is still blooming profusely. Continue care to extend the season.
September
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water once a week.
  • Fertilizing: Make this month's feeding the last of the season; afterward, the plant needs to prepare for winter.
  • Pruning: Regularly remove spent flowers at the base; this encourages new flowering.
  • Plant protection: Powdery mildew can increase in humid autumn weather; keep watching.
  • General care: The plant is still flowering strongly. Care is critical for extending the season.
  • Pests & diseases: Ensure good air circulation to prevent powdery mildew.
October
  • Watering: If there is no rainfall, water every 15 days.
  • Fertilizing: After mid-month, stop fertilizing.
  • Pruning: Flowering slows down, but it is still beneficial to remove the faded flowers.
  • General care: It is removed at the end of the season; it is replaced with seasonal planting.
  • Pests & diseases: As the plant weakens, it becomes more open to disease.
  • Frost risk: Toward the end of the month, the first frost risk may begin.
November
  • General care: The plant will die after the first frosts. To prevent diseases and pests from overwintering, pull up the plant debris and remove it from the garden.
  • Pests & diseases: Removing plant debris is important for the health of the next season.
  • Frost risk: The first frosts kill the plant.
December
  • General care: Leave the soil to rest or sow a winter cover crop. Plan for next year.
  • Pests & diseases: Make sure the soil is clean.
  • Frost risk: In hard and prolonged frosts, cover the root zone with mulch or dry leaves; also protect young plants. It is damaged below about -8 °C.

The care advice on this page is general and for information only; it is not professional advice. Plant age, soil and your garden’s microclimate can change the outcome. Plant protection products are mentioned only as general information; they are regulated, and the choice, dose and timing must be decided by a qualified professional under local rules. Consult a landscape architect or agronomist before applying.

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