Verbena officinalis aka Vervain

Taxonomy

Verbena officinalis, commonly known as common vervain or common verbena, is a perennial herb native to Europe. It has an upright habitus and can grow up to 70 cm high. The leaves are lobed, toothed, and roughly hairy. In late summer, wiry spikes emerge, bearing numerous tiny pale purple flowers. This plant prefers limey soils and is sometimes grown as an ornamental plant. It is also valued for its medicinal properties, which have been recognized in traditional Chinese medicine and included in the European and Chinese Pharmacopoeia. The chemical composition of Verbena officinalis includes iridoids, phenylpropanoid glycosides, phenolic acids, flavonoids, terpenoids, and essential oil. Outside of its native range, this plant is widely naturalized, including in North America. It forms an evergreen rosette, with erect, hairy, woody stems and opposite leaves. The lower leaves are deeply lobed with serrated edges. Clusters of small pinkish lilac flowers with a two-lipped, five-lobed tubular corolla bloom on slender branched spikes from June to September. The calyx is long and tubular, and the fruit contains four nutlets. Overall, Verbena officinalis is a useful plant with both ornamental and medicinal value.

Common names

Vervain, Official Vervain, Wild Verbena

How to care for Vervain

Difficulty

Even if you don't have a green thumb, you can successfully care for Vervain due to its easy-going nature.

Water

Vervain should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Vervain loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

Vervain thrives in bright and direct sunlight. To ensure your plant receives enough light to survive, place it less than one foot from a window. The current weather in your area may affect the placement in your home. For example, if you live in a region that has longer and more intense periods of sunlight, then you may want to place the plant farther away from the window to avoid direct sunlight and reduce the risk of sunburn. Alternatively, if you live in a region with relatively milder temperatures and less intense sunlight, then you may be able to place the plant closer to the window for increased exposure. Ultimately, the current weather in your area should be taken into consideration when determining the best placement for your Wild Verbena.

Toxicity

The toxicity level of this plant has not been officially confirmed by Ploi. If there is a possibility of ingestion of plant material with an uncertain toxicity by you, a family member, or a pet, it is advisable to seek the assistance of a medical professional.

Fertilizer

Repotting the Vervain is necessary either when it has doubled in size or once every year, whichever happens first. With fresh potting soil replenished annually, the plant will receive all the necessary nutrients, rendering the use of fertilizer unnecessary. Keep in mind that the source of a plant's energy is the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Vervain’s native range is Europe, including Britain, from Denmark south and east to N. Africa, W. Asia to the Himalayas.


More info:
Wikipedia