How to Propagate New Plants From a Verbena Bonariensis

Tall verbena is easy to start at home, whether you are starting it from cuttings or propagating it from seed. Tall verbena (‌Verbena bonariensis‌) is a tender perennial within USDA hardiness zones 7 to 11, where it will self-sow in the garden if allowed to set seed.

Both seeds and cuttings provide a reliable means of growing new plants, but seeds work best for the standard variety while cuttings work best for cultivars, which may not grow true from seed.

Starting Verbena Bonariensis Seedlings

Seeds provide the easiest and most reliable propagation method for tall verbena plants. In areas where these plants grow as annuals, it is best to start the seeds indoors in spring roughly eight to 12 weeks before the last spring frost.

Otherwise, the seeds can be started directly in the garden once the soil warms to above 60°F. Start the seeds in shallow containers with drainage holes at the base, and be sure to use seed-starting compost or potting soil rather than garden soil.

Tall verbena seeds need light to germinate, so cover them with a very thin sprinkling of soil. Mist the soil to keep it moist and check the moisture level in the soil every day so it never dries out.

Cover the pots with a piece of plastic wrap to hold moisture and warmth around the seeds as they germinate. Tall verbena seeds germinate in two to four weeks when temperatures are around 60°F at night and 86°F during the day.

Salicyna, CC SA-4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

Rooting Verbena Bonariensis Cuttings

• Tall verbena also grows well from cuttings started in spring or summer when the plant is actively growing. Experts recommend taking 2- to 4-inch-long cuttings from non-flowering side shoots.
• Snip off the cutting just above a set of leaves using sharp scissors or pruning shears that have been wiped down with rubbing alcohol to kill any pathogens.
• Remove the lowest set of leaves, and pot the cutting in a container filled with a moistened mix of half compost and half sand. Be sure the container you use has a few drainage holes at the base.
• Set the potted cutting in a warm spot where it will receive bright, indirect light. Indoors near an east-facing window or outdoors under light shade are both suitable locations for starting these cuttings—just be sure the location is sheltered from excess heat, cold and strong wind.

How long do verbena cuttings take to root?

Tall verbena cuttings root within a month under the right conditions and should be grown in a pot under sheltered conditions until the following spring.

Planting Verbena Bonariensis Transplants

‌Hardening Off:‌ Spring is the best time to transplant tall verbena into the garden. The seedlings must be slowly acclimated to full sun over the course of a week or so, which is a process called "hardening off." These sun-loving plants grow best when placed in a garden bed with full sun exposure, although providing some light midday shade is a good idea in very hot climates.

‌Soil Conditions:‌ Tall verbena is not fussy about soil type and will grow equally well in poor and fertile soil, although the bed must drain well, because it will not tolerate soggy growing conditions. Avoid planting locations where water pools for long periods of time after heavy rainfall.

‌Transplanting:‌ Transplant tall verbena plants 2 feet apart or thin out the seedlings to 2 feet apart, if the seeds were started directly in the garden.

‌Watering:‌ Although tall verbena is a low maintenance plant once established, it needs regular water during its first summer in the garden. Provide 1 inch of water each week if the soil feels dry just beneath the surface.