Lemon verbena
Aloysia citrodora
Also called Aloysia triphylla and Lemon beebrush
Garden plant · Herbs, veg & fruitIt looks stone dead until JUNE. Every year somebody digs one up in April; the shoots come from bare wood very late, so leave it alone until midsummer before deciding.
Care at a glance
- Ease
- Medium
- Water
- Every 6 daysWater the ground, then leave it — water at the base and then leave it — these want to dry out between drinks.
- Light
- Full sun, sheltered
- Feed
- Every 30 days
- Humidity
- Low
- Hardiness
- Half-hardy — a light frost RHS H3, to -5°C
- Size
- 2 m tall · 2 m across
- Lifecycle
- Shrub
- Origin
- Argentina and Chile
Is it safe for pets and people?
PetsToxic to pets
Affects dogs, cats, horses.
PeopleNot checked yet
Nobody has checked this one against a source for us yet, so treat it as unknown rather than safe.
Checked against ASPCA and RHS on 2026-08-04.
A guide, not veterinary or medical advice. If a pet or a person has eaten a plant and you are worried, call your vet or doctor now — don’t wait for signs to appear. Spotted a mistake? Tell us.