When to Plant Lemon Verbena in Portsmouth, Virginia (23708)

Location

Portsmouth, Virginia

ZIP Code

23708

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Sunday, March 15, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Sunday, February 1, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Sunday, March 29, 2026

Based on last frost Sunday, March 15, 2026 · Zone 8b

Pro tip: Start Lemon Verbena seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Sunday, March 29, 2026.

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🌿 Plant Details

Scientific Name Aloysia citrodora

Days to Maturity 120 days

Mature Height 24-72"

Spread 36"

☀️ Growing Requirements

☀️

Sun

Full Sun (6-8 hours)

💧

Water

Moderate (1 inch/week)

↔️

Spacing

24" apart

🌱

Planting Depth

0.125" deep

Seeds typically germinate in 14-30 days

Ready to Plant Lemon Verbena in Portsmouth?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Sunday, February 1, 2026.

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🤝 Good Companions

BasilTomatoPepper

🤝

Full Companion Planting Guide for Lemon Verbena

See which plants help Lemon Verbena thrive, which to keep away, and raised bed layout tips →

🛠️ Supplies You'll Need

🌱 Seed Starting Trays 🪴 Seed Starting Mix 💡 Grow Lights 🌡️ Heat Mat 🪵 Raised Garden Bed 🌍 Vegetable Garden Soil 🛠️ Hand Trowel Set 🚿 Watering Can

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🌾 Seed Saving Guide

🔴 Difficult

✅ Open-pollinated — seeds grow true to parent

When to Harvest Seed

Flowers set seed in late summer but viability is often low in temperate climates.

Processing

Harvest seed pods when dry, extract tiny seeds. Germination is slow and irregular.

Seed Viability

Up to 1 year when stored cool, dark, and dry.

Pro Tip

Semi-hardwood cuttings in summer give far better results — seed saving is rarely worth the effort for this plant.

🪴

Raised Bed Planting Guides

A 4×8 bed fits 8 plants of Lemon Verbena. See plant counts, spacing grids, and companion pairings for every bed size →

Frequently Asked Questions

When should I plant Lemon Verbena in Portsmouth, Virginia? +

In Portsmouth (Zone 8b), start Lemon Verbena seeds indoors around Sunday, February 1, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Sunday, March 29, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Portsmouth, Virginia? +

The average last spring frost date for Portsmouth, Virginia (ZIP 23708) is around Sunday, March 15, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 8b.

How long does Lemon Verbena take to grow? +

Lemon Verbena typically matures in about 120 days from transplanting. In Portsmouth, that means you can expect harvest around Sunday, March 29, 2026 plus 120 days.

Should I start Lemon Verbena indoors or direct sow in Virginia? +

Lemon Verbena should be started indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. In Portsmouth, that means starting around Sunday, February 1, 2026.

📚 More Lemon Verbena Planting Guides

🗺️

Lemon Verbena in Virginia

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 8b Lemon Verbena Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

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Growing Lemon Verbena in Zone 8b

Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is a popular garden vegetable. In Portsmouth, Virginia, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8b, you should start seeds indoors around Sunday, February 1, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Sunday, March 15, 2026. Plan to transplant your Lemon Verbena seedlings outdoors around Sunday, March 29, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.