When to Plant Lemon Verbena in Fresno, California (93708)

Location

Fresno, California

ZIP Code

93708

USDA Zone

Last Frost

Tuesday, February 10, 2026

📅 Your 2026 Planting Dates

Start Seeds Indoors

Tuesday, December 30, 2025

Transplant Outdoors

Tuesday, February 24, 2026

Based on last frost Tuesday, February 10, 2026 · Zone 9b

Pro tip: Start Lemon Verbena seeds indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors around Tuesday, February 24, 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 Fresno?

Get your seeds now so they're ready by Tuesday, December 30, 2025.

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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 Fresno, California? +

In Fresno (Zone 9b), start Lemon Verbena seeds indoors around Tuesday, December 30, 2025 and transplant outdoors around Tuesday, February 24, 2026.

What is the last frost date for Fresno, California? +

The average last spring frost date for Fresno, California (ZIP 93708) is around Tuesday, February 10, 2026. This is based on NOAA climate normals for USDA Zone 9b.

How long does Lemon Verbena take to grow? +

Lemon Verbena typically matures in about 120 days from transplanting. In Fresno, that means you can expect harvest around Tuesday, February 24, 2026 plus 120 days.

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

Lemon Verbena should be started indoors 6 weeks before your last frost date. In Fresno, that means starting around Tuesday, December 30, 2025.

📚 More Lemon Verbena Planting Guides

🗺️

Lemon Verbena in California

Zone-by-zone breakdown · Full state guide

→ 🌡️

Zone 9b Lemon Verbena Guide

All cities in your zone · Avg dates

→

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Growing Lemon Verbena in Zone 9b

Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is a popular garden vegetable. In Fresno, California, which is in USDA Hardiness Zone 9b, you should start seeds indoors around Tuesday, December 30, 2025.

Your average last frost date is Tuesday, February 10, 2026. Plan to transplant your Lemon Verbena seedlings outdoors around Tuesday, February 24, 2026, about 2 weeks after your last frost date.