Lemon verbena is a delightful plant that’s sure to brighten up your day with its refreshing lemon scent and zesty flavor. This versatile herb can be used in cooking, baking, and tea-making, as well as in traditional medicine and aromatherapy.
Its leaves are rich in essential oils that have many potential health benefits, including reducing inflammation, promoting relaxation, and aiding digestion.
Not only is lemon verbena a useful herb, but it’s also a beautiful one. With its long, slender leaves and delicate white flowers, it makes a lovely addition to any garden or windowsill. And while it’s native to South America, it can be grown in many different climates and is relatively easy to care for.
Related article: Lemon Verbena Tea Effects and Side Effects
So whether you’re looking to add a burst of citrus flavor to your favorite recipes or to create a calming atmosphere in your home, lemon verbena is the perfect herb to turn to.
Its bright, sunny nature is sure to put a smile on your face and lift your spirits. And that is why it is a huge bummer to see your lemon verbena plant dying. Taking care of sick lemon verbena can be challenging. However, let’s never give up on our plants, shall we?
How to save a dying lemon verbena plant and revive it
Read more: Lemon Verbena Tea Benefits (Aloysia)
Even if your lemon verbena looks dead, please do not give up on it yet! And since we are refusing to give up on our plant, let’s go through what you can do when you notice your lemon verbena is in critical condition. These are all simple steps anyone can do, they don’t take much of your time. So, please do not find excuses!
Watering
To save and revive your sick lemon verbena, one of the first things you need to do is to check the soil moisture, if it is too dry, give it a deep watering. If the soil is waterlogged, you should allow the soil to dry out before watering again.
In the case of overwatering, let your plant out in the sun all day to allow the moisture to dry out. However, if you live in a humid environment and it seems hard to dry it out, you can just change the potting soil with a fresh new one.
If you let your lemon verbena plant remain sick in overly watered soil, this will cause the roots to rot. And trust me, one of the worst things a plant can go through is root rot, it is what call “plant cancer”
Check the soil
Ensure that the soil is moist but not waterlogged. Overwatering can cause root rot, which can kill the plant. If the soil is dry, water the plant deeply.
Provide adequate sunlight
Lemon verbena plants need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. If your plant is not getting enough sunlight, move it to a sunnier spot.
Prune the plant
When you notice any signs of sick leaves or stems, you can save lemon verbena by simply pruning. Pruning is essential to encourage healthy growth and prevent legginess. Cut back any dead, damaged, or diseased leaves and stems and trim the tips of healthy branches to encourage new growth.
Fertilize
We always need to provide essential nutrients for our plants. Similarly, lemon verbena needs to be fertilized with a balanced fertilizer once a month during the growing season. However, do not over-fertilize, as this can lead to burnt roots.
Pests and Diseases
Check for pests such as spider mites, aphids, and whiteflies, as well as diseases like powdery mildew, and root rot. Treat the plant with an appropriate insecticide or fungicide if necessary.
However, if your lemon verbena is suffering from root rot, I recommend you check out this article instead: What Is Root Rot, Causes, Treatments, & How to Prevent It
That is because root rot is very hard to deal with and needs special care.
Read more: Is Lemon Verbena Toxic to Birds, Cats, Dogs, and Other Pets
Transplant
If the plant is root-bound, you may need to transplant it into a larger pot. Choose a pot that is one size larger than the current pot and use fresh potting soil.
Patience is required to save your sick lemon verbena
Finally, give your plant some time to recover. Sometimes, it takes a few weeks for a plant to show signs of improvement.
Read more: How to Collect Lemon Verbena Seeds
By following these tips, you can revive your lemon verbena plant and enjoy its aromatic leaves once again.
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