Lemon Verbena

I need some advice please peeps!

About a month ago I bought a baby Lemon Verbena plant with the intention of keeping it in the conservatory. It's now growing like mad with its stems flopping over. Do I stake it? Do I cut it back lightly? Do I pot-on into a taller pot? :confused:

Help!

SageCat

 

I think its wilting from lack of air keeping it in a conservatory..dont cut the leaves unless you want to harvest them for drinks or pot pourri..the thing is with this plant it needs a nice warm sunny airy spot ..in the spring and summer you can take cuttings ..and in the autumn you cut it back..and protect for the winter..it should really be in a south facing position in the garden..and cover it with mulch in the winter..if you pop it outside spray it with water and give it a feed and dont let it get too dry and it will soon pick up..it shouldnt need staking..how big is the pot??..I cant see why you want to keep it in the conservatory as it will shed its leaves anyway for the winter...i suppose because it smells nice is one reason you wanted it indoors..but you could get a lemon scented geranium or a basil that would love to be in your conservatory..

 

Lemon verbena (Aloysia triphylla) grows wild here but is getting rare. I have one in my garden and have found it needs regular pruning to encourage new growth and keep a nice shape, otherwise they get very straggly. It can reach a height of 10 feet! I dry the leaves for tea. It's called Bela Luisa here and the old folk swear by it here to relieve cold and flu symptoms! It is tolerant only of mild frosts. It should be evergreen in USDA zones 8-10. Southern England is 8&9 and southern Portugal is 10.