White vervain.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial herb

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

5 feet

Growth rate

Medium

Hardiness

USDA 3 to 8

Bloom time

Mid to late summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to mimic its natural habitat. Watch for wilting during dry spells, as this plant prefers not to dry out completely. Deadhead the spent flower spikes if you want to prevent it from self seeding throughout your garden.

Watering

Keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.

Feeding

Apply a balanced organic fertilizer once during the spring.

Pruning

Cut the plant back to the ground in late autumn or early spring.

Repotting

Repot only if the plant becomes rootbound in its container.

Soil

Moist, loamy soil

Soil pH

Neutral to slightly acidic

Temperature

-25 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Moderate

Lifespan

Short lived perennial, typically 3 to 5 years.

Deer and rabbits

High

Safety

People

There are no reports of significant human toxicity, but it is not intended for consumption.

Children

The plant is not dangerous, but the stems can be slightly rough to the touch.

Contact allergens

The stems have fine, stiff hairs that may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can be a mild irritant for those with seasonal allergies.

Edibility

This plant is not considered edible and should not be consumed.

How to identify it

• Square stems with opposite leaves
• Small white flowers on spikes
• Leaves resemble stinging nettle foliage
• Tall branching flower stalks

Height

0.6 to 1.5m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, pale blue, 0.2 to 0.5cm

Fruit

brown, Autumn

Problems to watch for

• Powdery mildew · A white fungal growth on leaves often caused by poor air circulation.

Growing it

Propagation

seed

When to plant

spring, autumn

Overwintering

Leave the dried stalks standing through winter to provide seeds for birds, then cut back to the ground in early spring.

In containers

It is not ideal for containers due to its height and tendency to self sow, but it can grow in a large 10 liter pot.

Group with other native prairie plants to create a balanced ecosystem that supports local pollinators.

Grows well with

• Purple Coneflower · They share similar moisture needs and bloom times.
• Little Bluestem · The grass provides a nice textural contrast to the vervain spikes.

Similar species

• Blue Vervain · It is a close relative with similar growth habits but deeper blue flowers.

Science

Family

Verbenaceae

Genus

Verbena

Order

Lamiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Most of the eastern and central United States and parts of Canada.

Conservation

It is common and secure throughout its native range.

It acts as a colonizer in open woods and meadows, providing essential late season nectar.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, seed source for birds

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, moths

Uses

pollinator gardens, wildlife meadows, naturalistic plantings

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is white vervain invasive?

It can be aggressive in small gardens due to self sowing, but it is native to North America.

Does it need full sun?

It prefers full sun but will tolerate light shade.

Where the name comes from

The species name urticifolia means nettle leaved, referring to the resemblance of its foliage to stinging nettles.

Good to know

• It is commonly called white vervain.
• The plant is a prolific self sower in the garden.
• It thrives in disturbed soils and woodland edges.

Also in

• Deer-resistant plants