When to Plant Lemon Verbena in Durham, North Carolina (27708)

Location

Durham, North Carolina

ZIP Code

27708

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Friday, March 20, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Friday, February 6, 2026

Transplant Outdoors

Friday, April 3, 2026

Based on last frost Friday, March 20, 2026 · Zone 8a

Pro tip: Start Lemon Verbena seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Friday, April 3, 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 Durham?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Friday, February 6, 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 Durham, North Carolina? +

In Durham (Zone 8a), start Lemon Verbena seeds indoors around Friday, February 6, 2026 and transplant outdoors around Friday, April 3, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Durham, North Carolina? +

The average last spring frost date for Durham, North Carolina (ZIP 27708) is around Friday, March 20, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 8a.

How long does Lemon Verbena take to grow? +

Lemon Verbena typically matures in about 120 days from transplanting. In Durham, that means you can expect harvest around Friday, April 3, 2026 plus 120 days.

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

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

📚 More Lemon Verbena Planting Guides

🗺️

Lemon Verbena in North Carolina

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 8a Lemon Verbena Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

Other Plants for Durham

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Growing Lemon Verbena in Zone 8a

Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is a popular garden vegetable. In Durham, North Carolina, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 8a, you should start seeds indoors around Friday, February 6, 2026.

Your average last frost date is Friday, March 20, 2026. Plan to transplant your Lemon Verbena seedlings outdoors around Friday, April 3, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.