Common Vervain

Common Vervain: variety and characteristics

Common Vervain (Verbena officinalis) is an annual flower of the Verbenaceae family. These are perennial plants that can grow to approximately 90 cm. tall. Vervains usually have woody stems and are pale green in colour with hairy stems. The flowers are very small and pink. They appear on a long, slender spike.

Vervain is sedative (calming), used for liver disease, to lower blood pressure and for painful menstruation. Vervain is a herb that strengthens the nervous system by easing tension and stress.

It can be used in the treatment of melancholy or depression, hysteria or obsessive states. As a diaphoretic (sweat-inducing) agent, vervain can be used in the early stages of a cold, to warm the body and to clear the nasal passages.

In the treatment of liver disorders, it can be helpful for gallbladder diseases and jaundice. As a mouthwash, vervain can be used for dental caries.

Verbena flowers continuously from June until the frosts, tolerates heat and attracts butterflies — ideal for window boxes, hanging baskets and borders.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 85%
• Seeds per packet: 510–690 pcs (0.2 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: February – April; seedlings
• Flowering: June – October
• Position: sunny spot

When to sow Common Vervain

Common Vervain seeds are sown in February – April. The plants flower from June to October. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Common Vervain

• Sowing method: seedlings
• Depth: 0.3 cm
• Spacing: 25–30 cm
• Germination: 14–28 days at 20–25 °C
• Position: sunny spot

Growing vervain does not require special knowledge or effort, but there are still some particulars to its cultivation. To obtain seedlings, the seeds should be sown in February; after germination the seedlings can be planted out in March. In its permanent position it is planted at a spacing of 20 – 25 cm in light, moist soil enriched with manure. In general it is not fussy and does well in almost any soil, which should be well loosened. Verbena does not tolerate strong wind, so it should be planted in sheltered spots. It is preferable to use loamy soil containing humus. It needs a light feed beforehand with nitrogen fertilisers; too much of them will mean the plant does not flower well. Vervain loves bright, warm places and generous watering. The plants should be 60 cm apart. apart.

Sow for seedlings in February–March. Germination is slow and uneven — 1–2 weeks of cold stratification in the refrigerator helps.

Flowering and uses

Remove spent flower heads.

Frequently asked questions

When should Common Vervain be sown?

The recommended sowing months are February – April. Sowing method: seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 510–690 seeds, pack size 0.2 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 85%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.

Why does verbena germinate slowly?

The seeds have a dormancy period — keep them for 1–2 weeks in a moist substrate in the refrigerator, then move them somewhere warm.