I've had lots of comments and questions about the beautiful green checked linen table cloth that we used in our photo shoot for our Sea Green Check Linen Collection, so here's a bit of background!
A few years ago, my daughter Phoebe worked at a wonderful guest house in Croatia, Bolara 60, for a couple of summer seasons. They grow all of their own food and I visited her several times. It's such a beautiful, inspiring place.
It was the first time I had tasted lemon verbena tea, made from the leaves that were growing abundantly in the sunny kitchen garden. Because I don't drink coffee, I choose lemon verbena tea at breakfast and after dinner - I found it absolutely delicious. Here you can see the Lemon Verbena plant growing on the left hand side.
When I got back to the UK, I missed the citrusy-zing and found that bought lemon verbena tea bags didn't really come close to achieving the same taste or flavour, so we hunted out the herb and planted it in the garden!
I think lemon verbena is a must-have herb for your garden. It has an intense citrus smell, is known to have calming properties and makes a delicious, refreshing, wellness-boosting tea. You may have come across it in France, where it is often served as "verveine".
In this blog, we'll explore how to grow lemon verbena at home and how to transform it into a delicious herbal tea that will soothe and revitalise you.
What Is Lemon Verbena?
Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is a perennial shrub native to South America. Known for its long, narrow leaves and strong lemon scent, it thrives in warm climates and is often used in cooking, perfumes, and herbal remedies. One of its most popular uses today is as a natural tea ingredient thanks to its uplifting flavour alongside health benefits.
How to Grow Lemon Verbena
1. Choose the Right Spot:
Lemon verbena loves full sun—at least 6-8 hours daily. Choose a spot in your garden or a large pot on a sunny patio.
2. Use Well-Drained Soil:
Ensure the soil is loose and drains well. A mix of potting soil and sand or perlite works great for container planting.
3. Water Wisely:
While lemon verbena enjoys regular watering, overwatering can lead to root rot. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, and always allow excess moisture to drain.
4. Prune for Growth:
Regular pruning encourages bushier growth and more leaves for harvesting. Don't be afraid to trim it back during the growing season. The plant is ready to be harvested when the stalks are at least 25cm long.
5. Bring Indoors for Winter:
In colder climates, grow lemon verbena in containers so you can overwinter it indoors near a sunny window. We're OK in Cornwall, but depending on where you live you might want to consider this option.
How to Make Lemon Verbena Tea
Lemon verbena is a zesty flavoured herbal tea. Here's a simple recipe:
Ingredients:
- 1 tsp dried lemon verbena leaves per cup (or 2–3 fresh leaves chopped) If you're making a pot, I generally go for 4-6 leaves chopped up - a small handful
- 1 cup hot water (around 175°F or 80°C) or fill the pot
- Honey or lemon (optional)
Instructions:
- Add the lemon verbena to a teapot or infuser.
- Pour hot water over the blend and steep for 3–5 minutes.
- Strain and enjoy! Add honey or lemon if desired.
How to Dry Lemon Verbena
Hang your cut stems upside down in a large paper bag in a warm place for a few days until completely dry. Then put them in a jar with an airtight lid for storage. It's fine to crumple the leaves to fit as much as you can, use both leaves and stalks.
Lemon Verbena Tea Benefits
Lemon verbena is rich in antioxidants and has been traditionally used to aid digestion, reduce stress, and support immune health. I love it because it makes a fragrant, zesty alternative to drink at any time of the day - great hot or when cool.
Growing lemon verbena is so rewarding and relatively straightforward. Once established, it provides a steady supply of fragrant leaves perfect for crafting your own herbal tea.
Whether you're a tea lover, a gardening enthusiast, or both, lemon verbena is a fragrant and delicious herbal tea. I find it a very peaceful, refreshing drink - let me know what you think!
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