Lemon Verbena (Aloysia triphylla) originates from South America and is one of my favourite herbs. It has a delightful lemon perfume, almost like a lemon sherbet we used to buy when we were kids! It also has a beautiful white flower giving a lace effect when the tree is in bloom. Just to brush past it and scrunch the leaves is heaven, everyone should grow one and it is quite happy in a pot.
It can only be grown from cuttings, either in the Spring or Autumn. I have had more success in Autumn. It is semi-deciduous and doesn’t like the cold, but 40 degrees Celsius? No problem. I just love it! Best to cut it back and shape it in spring to prevent it becoming straggly.
It has many uses.
It makes a very soothing, relaxing tea with a lovely lemon flavour.
Combine it in a tea with sage for sore throats and to help reduce hot flushes and excessive perspiration.
Lemon Verbena can be used in cooking, goes nicely with fish or chicken. Can be used to flavour desserts.
The leaves dry easily and smell beautiful when dried holding its scent for a long time.
Lemon Verbena grown from a Autumn cutting
Lemon Verbena tree, Cut back well at the beginning of spring
It's Spring and this Lemon Verbena grown from a cutting is re-shooting. Time to transplant it into a nice looking pot.
If you are starting out growing herbs it is a good idea to buy seedlings from a good garden centre. After a while you might want to grow some of your own herbs from cuttings. This is very rewarding and not hard to do.
The best time to do this is in the spring.
For cuttings I use the same mixture as described in my post about growing seeds, that is 50/50 Coir and Perlite, it retains the moisture nicely.
15cm plant pots are ideal for growing the cuttings in as five or six cuttings can be put into each pot with enough room between them and enough depth for growth. The pot also has sufficient drainage holes.
Take the cuttings after everything is prepared, otherwise they could dry out. If that is not possible keep them in water till you are ready.
Fill the plant pots with the Coir/Perlite mixture, firm the mixture down and water well. Then make holes in the mixture, evenly spaced ready for the cuttings to be planted. A pencil, end of a small paint brush or small stick are examples of what can be used.
For your cuttings choose the soft new growth from the ends of a healthy plant using pruners or a sharp knife. Cut around 10cm in length just below a leaf node. Gently remove lower leaves from your cutting. Plant the cuttings at a depth of about a third of the cutting. I generally dip the end in some honey. It promotes root growth and can guard against bacteria problems.
Then water the pot thoroughly. It is important to keep the mixture moist.
To keep the cuttings warm and moist it is a good idea to place the pot in a plastic bag, sealing the top with some garden twine. Then place it in a sheltered spot out of direct sunlight, opening it occasionally for air circulation.
When new growth appears the roots have started to form. This is the time to start opening the bag for longer periods until the bag can be removed altogether and then the cuttings can be planted in individual pots in good potting soil.
Cuttings taken in spring can produce new growth in a couple of months depending on the type of herb.
Cuttings can also be taken in Autumn, called hardwood cuttings using the same process but they don’t produce new growth for around six months, so patience is the key!!
Some herbs can be grown from seed, There are two ways you can do this
Plant seeds directly into their desired spot, whether that is in the garden, a raised garden bed or a nice looking pot
Plant in punnets until they are advanced enough to be transplanted into their desired place.
Planting Direct
As mentioned in my previous post, a good organic potting soil mixed with a good quality compost is all you need to plant your seeds directly in a pot or a small raised bed. The larger seeds, seeds that don’t like being transplanted and herbs that are picked quite young such as salad herbs can be planted direct. You can purchase seeds from reputable suppliers, online or in your local nursery. It will tell you on the packet whether to grow direct or in punnets and what time of year to grow. Spring or Autumn are usually the best times.
Scatter the seeds over the area to be planted, cover with a thin layer of soil and gently firm down. The soil must be kept moist at all times so that the seeds can germinate. The best way to do this is by watering gently with a spray bottle so as not to disturb the seeds.
When the seeds have sprouted, oh what a feeling to see them poke their way through the soil! and when they are large enough to handle, thin them out by cutting the seeds you don’t want just above the soil line so that no seeds are touching, this ensures room to grow. The seeds you have cut can be eaten in salads or soups. Do this progressively until you have the right amount growing in your pot ready to enjoy.
Planting in Punnets
Seeds grown in punnets are usually smaller so need to be grown in a fine soil. Bags of seed raising mixture can be bought from a garden centre or a 50/50 mixture of Coir and Perlite can be used. Also sold in bags from garden centres or hardware stores. The Coir, which is made from coconut shells, needs to be soaked in water, instructions on the packet, and then mixed with the perlite. This mixture is cheaper and is excellent at retaining moisture so that the seeds can germinate.
Fill a seed tray with the mixture you choose to use, water thoroughly and firm down. Sparingly sprinkle the seeds on the top and cover with some of the mixture, about twice the width of the seed.
It is a good idea to buy a seed tray with a lid so that the seeds stay moist and warm, otherwise cover with a sheet of glass or plastic. Put the tray in a warm protected spot in your garden or patio out of direct sunlight. Make sure the soil stays moist and hey presto! sprouting seeds! Wonderful.
The next step is to take off the cover for short periods, lengthening the time till you can take the cover off entirely during the day when the seeds are at the two leaf stage. You can then transplant the seedlings individually into a bigger pot with moist potting soil in when big enough to handle. Try not to touch the root when doing this, a small spoon or something similar can be used to scoop the seedling out. I must say it’s easier to do than to read about it! Therefore I will be recording some ‘how to’ videos in the future.
Water the pots well and keep them moist storing them in the same place as before till they are big enough to transplant into their final growing position in your awesome container of choice
Basil and Thyme in Terracotta Pots
Seed Tray with lid
German Chamomile seedlings in 50/50 Coir and Perlite
German Chamomile in dappled shade, ready to be planted in final position
Herbs are very easy to grow and extremely rewarding.
Fresh herbs are so beneficial in our lives and provide vitamins and minerals in the diet and improve the taste of food, Think of tomatoes with chopped basil or oregano, chives with potatoes, rosemary with roast lamb, mint with peas, lavender in stewed fruit, to name just a few!
Herbs also make wonderful teas. they can be refreshing, relaxing, soothing and therapeutic.
So herbs can be grown for their culinary benefits and also for their beauty and perfume. Look at Lavender, Lemon Verbena, the mints, thymes, chamomile, the list is endless.
Herbs particularly like being grown in pots and containers. So they can be suitable for small backyards, balconies, verandahs, patios, and windowsills. A group of herbs in containers outside the back door are not only ideal for access but keep the house cooler. In fact herbs can be grown in any container as long as a couple of of things are kept in mind.
The soil you are growing the herbs in
The drainage in the container
The position of the container
A good quality organic potting soil with some compost mixed in is perfect for planting in pots or containers. Both soil and compost can be purchased in bags from garden centres or hardware stores.
If you are using a commercial pot drainage is not usually a problem, if in any doubt a few broken stones can be placed in the bottom of the container before adding soil. In larger pots with larger holes a piece of fly screen or shadecloth over the hole stops soil falling through and insects from using your pot for their new home. If you have chosen a container like an old cooking dish, saucepan, vase, wine barrel etc you will need to drill drainage holes in them. Large items like a wine barrel can hold a few herbs that have similar requirements. Or a herb such as a Bay looks stunning in a large container and can be trimmed into shape as it grows, Of course you would need to choose a permanent place as it would be too heavy to move.
The advantage of growing your herbs in pots is that you can move the pots around so that they can be in the right spot all year round. Most herbs like a fare bit of sun , the sun increases the concentration of essential oils in the herb and increases the flavour. Mediterranean herbs such as Rosemary, Sage and Thyme fall in this category and don’t need a lot of watering except when establishing the new plant. Protect all herbs from the hot afternoon sun in the height of summer with a bit of shade especially in a climate where temperatures can be in the high twenties or thirties. Also find a protected spot from strong winds especially the more delicate herbs. Larger herbs in pots can do this.
