How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Verbena Bonariensis

Verbenas are purple-flowered plants with immense value in ornamental, pollinator, and herb gardens. Tall verbena is a hardy specimen that sometimes escapes cultivation. Learn how to cultivate it and manage its spread with seasoned grower Jerad Bryant.

Written by Jerad Bryant Horticulture review by Sarah Jay Last updated: April 20, 2025 | 8 min read

Tall, slender stems support clusters of small, purple Verbena Bonariensis flowers with five delicate petals, surrounded by long, narrow green leaves.

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Easy-spreading plants are incredibly valuable in the home garden. You won’t have to fuss over their soil quality, their nutrient needs, or how moist they are. They’ll thrive whether you cater to them or not!

Verbena bonariensis, or Brazilian vervain, is one such plant that spreads rapidly, readily, and without help from gardeners. You’ll spend more time pulling up its volunteer seedlings than you will caring for it! An herbaceous perennial, it’ll grow in the same spot from year to year and self-sow at the end of the growing season.

With two spreading strategies, this clumping wildflower is ideal for wild, open spaces. Let it fill empty cracks and crevices of your flower beds, or have it roam freely between your vegetables and lure pollinators to your crops.

Brazilian Vervain Verbena Seeds

Vibrant Rose-Violet to Lavender Blooms
Tall, Sturdy Growth for Stability
Attracts Butterflies, Bees, and Hummingbirds
Self-Seeding for Low-Maintenance Beauty

View at Epicgardening.com

Verbena Bonariensis Overview

Light purple, star-shaped flowers bloom in tight clusters atop tall, wiry stems, with long, lance-shaped green leaves at the base.


Plant Type Herbaceous Perennial, Annual in Cold Zones Family Verbenaceae Genus Verbena Species bonariensis	Native Area Brazil, Argentina Exposure Full sun to partial shade Height 2-4’ Watering Requirem Low	Pests & Diseases Powdery Mildew Maintenance Low Soil Type Loam, well-drained Hardiness Zone 7-11

What Is It?

Small, vibrant purple flowers form rounded clusters atop slender stems, complemented by narrow, lance-like green leaves. — Tall, wiry stems bring beautiful blooms all summer long.

Verbena bonariensis is a clump-forming perennial with long, wiry stems. It stays low to the ground early in the growing season, then it sprouts tall-reaching flowering stems to attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in late spring and summer.

Native Area

A meadow of tall flowering plants with clusters of tiny purple flowers with five petals grow on tall, spindly stems, surrounded by long, linear green leaves. — A natural beauty that self-sows and flourishes year-round.

Native to Brazil and Argentina, this vervain thrives in warm regions throughout these countries. It sprouts amongst tropical and subtropical trees, shrubs, and similar perennials. Though native to South America, it’s popular as an ornamental garden species, and its weedy tendencies allow it to escape gardens.

This Verbena species has naturalized in the warm, subtropical climates of North America, Asia, Africa, and Australia. It self-sows readily and resprouts from perennial roots in USDA hardiness zones 7 through 11. In colder climates, it grows well as an annual wildflower during the warm months.

This is one of many species that thrive on the continent. Many growers confuse it with the similar Brazilian type, V. brasiliensis. Though these South American verbenas are gorgeous and hardy, they are aggressive spreaders in the U.S.

There are similar options native to the country that thrive in home gardens. Consider mixing Verbena bonariensis with native species like hoary and blue vervains.

Characteristics

Small purple blooms with pointed petals gather in tight clusters at the ends of tall, fragile stems. — Lovely pink-purple blooms brighten gardens and feed local pollinators.

Verbena bonariensis sprouts clumps of rosettes in early spring. The leaves are deep green on top and gray-green underneath, with serrated margins. As the days lengthen and warm in spring, spongy, square stems emerge from the rosettes. They reach two to four feet tall and sprout flower clusters on their tips.

The flowers are small but mighty! They’re full of nectar and pollen, and they attract a wealth of beneficial insects and pollinators. The tiny blossoms are light pink-purple; they sprout from dark pink tubes to create a lovely, contrasting effect.

After flowering, the pollinated blooms form many seeds that fall to the ground in the fall and winter. These seeds sprout into volunteer seedlings that will flower the following spring. The main plant will enter a winter dormancy, conserving its energy in its roots and crown.

Planting

Many nurseries offer potted plants, while seed retailers offer viable seeds. Both seeds and potted plants are easy to cultivate. Potted plants may bloom sooner than those grown from seed, though seeds are often much cheaper than whole plants. You pay for the seeds rather than the pot, the dirt, and the plant!

Growing From Seed

Close-up of young verbena seedlings with oval, heavily serrated but rounded edges, bright green in color with a slightly hairy texture, growing in a starter tray. — Fresh seeds sprout quickly, giving way to bright flowers.

Brazilian vervain sprouts readily from seeds. Sow them in spring after the last average frost date in your area. Lightly rake the soil, sow the seeds readily, and rake them into the ground. Cover them with a thin layer of soil less than a quarter inch thick and water them well.

You may also start them indoors a few weeks before the frost date. This early start helps the seedlings mature quickly in spring and flower before most other specimens. Two to three months before your last frost date, sow the Verbena seeds a quarter inch deep in 5” cube pots. Place them under bright light and keep them moist while they germinate.

Before transplanting the sprouted seedlings, harden them off outdoors. Hardening off is a toughening process that helps the seedlings adapt to outdoor sun, wind, and humidity. Keep them in a partially shady site for a week or two, and protect them from frost. Then, transplant them into the garden.

Transplanting

A tray filled with young Verbena seedlings, featuring slender stems and bright green, finely textured leaves. — Ensure crowns sit above the soil for strong, healthy roots.

Whether you buy potted plants or start Verbena bonariensis from seeds, transplanting seedlings is straightforward. Start by preparing the holes after the last frost in your region. Dig holes twice as wide and as deep as the plants’ root balls.

After digging, remove the plants from their containers. Knock them on their sides or pull them gently by their stems, being careful not to break them in the process. Rootbound specimens may resist coming out—use a knife to separate the roots from the pots’ edges.

Place the plants in their holes, backfill with soil, and water them well. Ensure their crowns, where new growth occurs, sit above the soil’s surface, and keep them moist while they establish themselves. After establishment, they’re drought tolerant in full sun or partial shade.

How to Grow

This perennial has few needs, and it’ll thrive whether you help it or not! The only areas it’ll struggle in are in cold zones 6 and below. In those regions, treat the plant as an annual, save its seeds, and sow them the next spring. You may also consider cold-tolerant Verbena species that’ll grow well in your zone.

Light

Tall, wiry stems hold clusters of violet-purple flowers, with pointed petals and elongated green leaves at the base under the bright afternoon light in the garden. — Give it enough sun, but protect it from the hottest hours.

This plant grows well with full sun or partial shade. Give it between three and eight hours of daily direct sunlight; in warm zones with hot summers, consider granting it afternoon shade during the hottest hours.

When the plant grows in partial shade, it may face powdery mildew infections in late summer and fall as humidity increases. Choose sites with full sun to grow tall, healthy, and strong plants.

Water

Verbena bonariensis appreciates consistent moisture during the growing season. It dislikes sogginess, though it resists temporary droughts. The most important time for watering is early spring when the plants grow low to the ground. Ensure they stay consistently moist while they sprout leafy rosettes.

The plants are drought-tolerant after establishing themselves. They’ll perform well with other easy-growing wildflowers like milkweeds, sunflowers, and gayfeathers.

Soil

This vervain is adaptable and dependable, performing well in many different soil types. It’ll thrive in loamy, well-drained garden soils with plenty of organic matter, though it also grows in gritty, rocky, or sandy sites. The plant may struggle in clay, though it can survive with consistent moisture.

I worked at a wholesale plant nursery and sold this plant in one-gallon pots. We’d often find seedlings sprouting in the rocky gravel underneath the pots! Though nothing else grew in the gravel, this plant thrived.

Fertilizing

Bright purple, tubular flowers with sharp, defined petals emerge from thin, tall stems, on a blurred green background. — This plant loves a nutritious mulch over chemical fertilizers.

This perennial is a low feeder, performing well in poor soil. Rather than fertilizing the plant, add a nutritious mulch like compost or leaf mold to the site. The mulch will decay and add nutrients, structure, and microbes without overwhelming the roots.

Maintenance

A female gardener takes care of blooming delicate purple verbena and bright orange-red helenium sneezeweed plants in a sunny garden. — Just snip spent blooms for more flowers to appear.

Low-maintenance and easy growing, there’s little work you’ll need to do to help the plants thrive. The main task is pulling unruly seedlings after they sprout near the mature plants. Rather than letting them germinate, you may snip spent flowers off the stems before they form seeds. Continuous snipping will encourage more blooms to sprout!

Propagation

There are three main ways to propagate this Verbena species: cuttings, divisions, and seeds. Which option is best depends on your growing goals and your garden’s setup. Seeds are a reliable backup, while cuttings and divisions offer quick-growing results.

Cuttings

A male gardener uses red pruning shears to trim tall thin stems with clusters of small, deep purple flowers. — Take stem cuttings and let patience do the rest.

Cuttings allow you to replicate your existing stock of Verbena bonariensis. You’ll snip stems, put them in pots of dirt, and wait for them to form roots and new shoots. The process is relatively simple, though it requires patience and diligence.

To start, snip four to six-inch stem cuttings off the main plant. Try to take them from the lower parts of the plant rather than the upper, flowering stems. Remove the stems of their lower leaves, place them in moist soil, and place a humidity dome over their top.

With consistent moisture, dappled shade, and high humidity levels, the cuttings will sprout roots in a few days or weeks. You may transplant them into the garden after roots begin poking out of the pots’ drainage holes.

Division

Tiny purple flowers with a tubular shape bloom in tight clusters, rising from tall, fine stems, with long, linear green leaves under bright sunlight in the garden. — Divide in spring or fall for healthy new plants.

Division is a task best fit for early spring or fall when the weather is cool, mild, and frost-free. It works well on mature, overgrown specimens with broad crowns. You’ll dig the plant up, divide it into rooted portions, and replant the divisions in new spots.

Start by digging up the mature plants. Dig a foot outside the crown on all sides to avoid harming the roots. Then, lift the plant and shake it free of large soil chunks. Once you can see the roots, you’ll use a sharp knife to separate the plant into multiple portions. Ensure each portion has a well-grown root system.

After separation, transplant the divisions into new spots throughout your garden. Water them well, and keep them moist while they establish themselves.

Seed Saving

A tall, slender seedhead with clusters of tiny, dried flowers atop a thin stem, on a blurred green background. — Collect seeds late in the season for future growth.

Seed saving is a reliable backup in case your perennials die over the winter. You may store them indoors and take them out when you need new transplants. The seeds form in late summer and fall after the flowers fade.

To save seeds, locate brown seed pods on the tips of the stems. Snip the stems off and dangle them in a brown paper bag. Shake the bag to let the seeds fall to the bottom, then collect them into a glass jar or paper envelope. Store the seeds in a cool, dry, and dark location until planting.

Popular Varieties

Rounded clusters of vivid purple flowers grow atop long, slender stems, with fine, elongated leaves framing the base. — Try different varieties for unique sizes and bloom clusters.

Few varieties of this species exist! Most gardeners grow the species type, though some choose to try dwarf cultivars or ones with giant flower clusters. ‘Lollipop’ is one variety with dense bloom clusters and a short structure; it stays between two and three feet tall.

‘Vanity’ is another dwarf type with compact but prolific blooms. A new selection, ‘INVEBPUTOW,’ or Meteor Shower® Verbena, is one of the most spectacular cultivars. It sprouts lollipop-like flower heads with more blooms than other types and stays under 30 inches tall in maturity.

Common Problems

This perennial has few issues in the home garden. It may suffer from powdery mildew late in the growing season, though the infection doesn’t affect the blooms. You may manage the symptoms if you think they’re unsightly.

Pests

Green leaves showing signs of aphid damage, with a ladybug actively feeding on the aphids. — Blast aphids away with water, not harmful pesticides.

Aphids may target the young leaves and flower buds of Verbena bonariensis. Spray them off with strong streams of water daily until they disappear. Avoid spraying pesticides, as they’ll harm butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds that visit the blossoms.

Diseases

Close-up of a long, narrow green leaf covered with a white powdery coating due to a fungal disease. — Treat powdery mildew with potassium bicarbonate or milk sprays.

Powdery mildew is the most common disease that plagues this plant. It’s prevalent in moist, humid regions with warm temperatures. Powdery mildew is a fungus that spreads with spores that rapidly colonize leaves and stems.

A few organic treatments can help mitigate the white, powdery growth and prevent its spread. Potassium bicarbonate is an organic spray that works well, though milk sprays and bacterial fungicides also prevent the disease’s spread.

Follow the product’s label for proper dosage and application rates, and spray in the morning or afternoon to avoid harming beneficial insects.

How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Verbena Bonariensis