Lemon verbena isn’t just a pretty face in your garden; it’s a total powerhouse! Whether you’re using it to spice up your favorite recipes or brewing it as a soothing herbal remedy, having a stash of dried leaves on hand is a game-changer. Here is my go-to guide on how to dry lemon verbena so you can enjoy that amazing citrus scent all year long.
Drying Lemon Verbena: A Step-by-Step Guide
If you’re growing lemon verbena in your garden, patience is key. Wait until your new shoots are about four inches long before you start harvesting for drying. Pro tip: always leave at least three nodes (those little bumps where leaves grow) on the stem so the plant can keep on growing. By August, you can usually harvest a big batch to get you through the winter. Keep in mind that lemon verbena isn’t cold hardy, so it rarely survives winter outdoors in most climates.
Follow these simple steps to dry your harvest. If you do it right, your leaves will stay flavorful for up to a year!
- Gently strip the leaves away from the stems.
- Line a tray or board with clean paper towels or a breathable cloth.
- Spread the leaves out in a single layer, making sure they aren’t touching so they get plenty of airflow.
- Place them in a dark, warm, and dry spot.
- Let them sit for about two weeks until they are completely crisp.
- Store your dried leaves in dark, airtight glass jars to keep the light out.
How to Use Your Dried Lemon Verbena
There are so many ways to use this herb! As a natural remedy, it’s a favorite for soothing headaches, helping with digestion, or easing cold symptoms. It also has a wonderful calming effect that’s great for the nervous system. In the kitchen, it’s a total star—it adds a bright, sophisticated zing to seafood, fish, pastries, and desserts.
Propagating Your Lemon Verbena
Love your plant so much you want more of them? I totally get it! Propagating lemon verbena is actually pretty easy. The method you choose mostly depends on how much of a “green thumb” you feel like and how much time you have. You can generally choose from these three methods:
- Growing from seeds
- Taking stem cuttings (my personal favorite!)
- Layering (rooting a branch while it’s still attached to the plant)