Last updated on December 2nd, 2011
Of all the lemon-scented plants in the world, none can rival Lemon Verbena. This Aloysia triphylla is more lemony than a lemon tree and all of its parts, each leaf a tantalizing blend of lemon peel, honey, and a tropical breeze that calms the nerves and refreshes the spirit. The plant can be grown either indoors or out, and you can use its leaves in a number of fascinating ways:
In white wine. On a hot summer evening, the drink dujour at A Garden for the House is a glass of icy-cold pinot grigio, enlivened with a sprig of lemon verbena. A number of friends can testify to this fact, as can a lovely lady from the local garden club. She sipped this ambrosia while serving “docent-duty” here during a garden tour. The herb is equally delightful in a glass of sauvignon blanc or dry champagne.
For poultry and fish. To give chicken breasts, turkey burgers or fish fillets a lemony lift, just lay whole leaves on top of meat. Then sear in a hot skillet, verbena-side-down first. This way, the leaves will adhere to fish or fowl throughout the cooking process.
In salads. Add finely-chopped leaves to tuna salad, chicken salad, or a plain old green salad for a refreshing taste sensation.
In Grooming Products. Use whole leaves in talcum powder, baby-powder, hair shampoo, rubbing alcohol — in anything that can benefit from a strong essence of citrol.
Where winters are mild, lemon verbena can be grown as a die-back perennial. After defoliating frost, cut back to 3 inches, and cover with a thick layer of shredded leaves or salt hay. Otherwise, confine the plant to a clay pot, and grow it in a cool, sunny window or beneath fluorescents.
I hope you will try this piece of poetry in your own herb- or window-garden. For fragrance and use, nothing beats lemon verbena.
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Holly says
Besides all that you have mentioned, it is also wonderful in flower arrangements! I love this plant!!!
Yolanda says
Kevin, did you know that in Gone With The Wind (the novel, anyway) that lemon verbena was mentioned as Scarlet O'Hara's mother's favorite plant?
Use this trivia in any way you wish…
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Holly – great idea. I will have to try a few stems in one of my house-bouquets.
Yolanda – I did not know about the Gone With The Wind connection. I can see why Scarlett's mother would love the plant!
Justin says
In a previous era, a lady would tuck lemon verbena in her bosom. Wonder if anyone does this today?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Justin – I have more than once tucked the herb into my shirt pocket. It's a great scent for a hot, humid day (like today).
Judy says
I now know that lemon verbena has a myriad of uses — from wine to tucking in pockets and bosoms. I guess that makes it the perfect nip/tuck herb! But why did my apartment lemon verbena plant have such a short life??
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Judy – Perhaps your lemon verbena was the victim of high heat and low humidity — two conditions that are common in city apartments from October through May.
I encourage you to try the herb again. Set the plant on a humidifying saucer of pebbles and water, and on a windowsill that is sunny, but not above a radiator. Lower the winter heat in your apartment, too, if at all possible.
Katreader says
I love lemon verbena. I just got one on clearance-it's a a bit leggy…OK, very leggy, but it smells wonderful.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Katreader – well, better a leggy verbena than no verbena! And the more you snip off sprigs, the branchier it will become.
Do let us know how you use the leaves…
Gregory says
OK, you've all convinced me that I must get a lemon verbena plant. Immediately. But where do I find one this time of the year — in NYC?
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Gregory – You might ask your local florist to order one for you.
Cheryl says
I once read that if you put lemon verbena leaves in your vacuum cleaner bag, it will make your whole home smell lemon fresh. Has anyone ever tried this?
Sharon Dansereau says
I brought in lemon verbena for the winter, now I have a stick with about 8-10 very long branches with about 15-20 leaves at the end of each branch, but the main plant looks dead. What do I do?? I live in Rhode Island.
Kevin Lee Jacobs says
Sharon – As insurance, you may have to run to your nearest garden center and buy a new plant. Don't feel bad — I don't always have luck overwintering lemon verbena, either.
Otherwise, place your old plant in good soil, and hope for the best. It might recover.
Sharon Dansereau says
Thanks, I did buy a new plant just in case this one does not make it. But I will stick it in the garden and see what happens. I've been saving all the leaves as they fall off and add them to my dried spearmint leaves,it makes an great cup of tea.
Chris says
For years, I had a lemon verbena plant that i braided the stems as it grew taller. I put it in the garage every winter, and kept it barely watered. When it started to sprout in April/May, I put it out on the deck. It became a 5 foot “tree” , with a braided trunk but bushy at the top. Every night when I came home from work, I would pick a few leaves, crush them, and perfume the air. Then I would take a few more leaves, crush them and put them in a large glass of ice water, and sit and sip my water as I relaxed on the deck. After 15 years, my verbena froze in the garage, so I had to start over. But the memories of the scent of that wonderful plant linger on.