Lemon Verbena and Common Verbena: What are the differences?

The common verbena and the lemon verbena are both perennial plants from the Verbenaceae family. In botany, a species is referred to as "perennial" when it lives for several years, as opposed to an "annual" plant.

• The common vervain (Verbena officinalis).

  This verbena is known by several names: Sacred Herb, Witches' Herb, or Wild Verbena. The official verbena stands out for its erect and branched stem that hosts opposite cut leaves. The multiple virtues of the official verbena were already recognised by the Gauls who named it Cure-all or Herb for all ailments. Nowadays, this plant is primarily used for its diuretic and digestive properties.

• The lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora or Lippia citrodiora).

  The lemon verbena, also known as scented verbena or lemongrass verbena, is a shrub-like plant similar to the common verbena. Its leaves are highly fragrant, evoking the aroma of lemon. Lemon verbena is predominantly cultivated in the tropical regions of South America, such as Argentina, Peru, and Chile. Long used in the creation of love potions, the Romans associated this plant with Venus, the goddess of love.

Lemon verbena and common verbena are very similar plants. Both belonging to the Verbenaceae family, they have several similarities.

• A similar climate conducive to cultivation.

  These two species of verbena both thrive in a sunny climate, when temperatures exceed 20°C. They require a fertile and moist soil to grow. The planting of lemon verbena and common verbena is preferably done in an environment exposed to the sun and lightly shaded. In summer, they both need regular watering.

• Plants favoured for herbal tea.

  Lemon verbena and common verbena are plants highly favoured by herbal tea enthusiasts. They possess a pleasant lemony fragrance, more pronounced in the case of the fragrant verbena. Some people even detect a slight minty taste, or one resembling that of a mandarin. Beyond their scent and flavour, verbena infusions are acclaimed for their digestive and soothing properties. Indeed, they are attributed with relaxing and calming effects, and, in some cases, efficacy in addressing sleep disorders and stress.