Vervain
Verbena officinalis
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Pl. 1352 — Verbena officinalis
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IOverview
Overview
Vervain (Verbena officinalis) is a perennial herb known for its light and airy form, often found in moist, well-drained soils across Europe, Asia, and Africa. This plant has a native range that includes Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, and other regions such as China, India, and parts of the Middle East. Vervain is valued both medicinally and ornamentally; its leaves and flowers are edible and have been used traditionally to support better sleep, reduce stress and anxiety, and lift low mood. The plant thrives in light (sandy), medium, or heavy (clay) soils with a pH of 7–7.5, making it adaptable to various growing conditions. Its traditional use as a gentle nervine for tension-driven sleep difficulties and its role in Roman and Celtic rituals highlight vervain's historical significance and ongoing relevance in botanical medicine.
Quick answers
What is Vervain?
Vervain (Verbena officinalis) is a perennial herb known for its light and airy form, often found in moist, well-drained soils across Europe, Asia, and Africa. This plant has a native range that includes Afghanistan, Albania, Algeria, and other regions such as China, India, and parts of the Middle East.
What is Vervain used for?
Traditionally used for better sleep, stress & anxiety, mood support. Each claim is evidence-rated — see Section II for full citations.
Best for
Top 3 evidence-ranked uses of Vervain
Clinicaluses · safety · chemistry · dosagemedicinal profile
IIBenefits & evidence
3 claims · 0 sources
Benefits & evidence
3 claims · 0 sources- Traditional use: vervain as gentle nervine for tension-driven sleep difficulty. Roman herbal classic.
Verbenalin + iridoid glycosides
- Traditional use: vervain for low-grade chronic anxiety. Roman + Celtic ritual herb.
Verbenalin iridoids
- Traditional use: vervain for low mood with restless mental tension. Folk European.
Verbenalin iridoids
IV·bMixology suggestions
2 drafts
Mixology suggestions
2 draftsEditorial drafts. These pairings are AI-suggested from traditional herbal lore. Always verify with a qualified herbalist before brewing.
Stress Relief
stresstincture
Used in traditional European remedies.
Growingconditions · propagation · uses
VCultivation
Cultivation
Vervain thrives in light to medium soils with a pH between 7 and 7.5, preferring moisture but not waterlogged conditions. It is hardy in temperate regions (zones 4-8) and can grow up to 0.6 meters tall as a perennial forb/herb. Vervain requires full sun to partial shade and benefits from moist soil. For propagation, gardeners can use cuttings or division. Harvest the edible parts—flowers and leaves—for culinary use.
Light
8/10
Water
Moist
Soil
Light (sandy), Medium, Heavy (clay)
Hardiness
4-8
Life cycle
Perennial
Habit
Forb/herb
Mature size
0.6 m tall
Soil pH
7–7.5
For first-time growers
How to grow Vervain for the first time
8steps
Start with a simple, light-loving perennial that thrives in moist soil and partial shade.
- 1
What you'll need
Vervain seeds or young plants, a small trowel, compost, and mulch.
- 2
Best time to plant
Plant Vervain in spring after the last frost or in early fall for better root development.
- 3
Soil and container prep
Prepare soil with a mix of light (sandy), medium, or heavy clay soil, ensuring it's well-draining and slightly acidic to neutral pH (7-7.5).
- 4
Sowing or transplanting
Direct sow seeds 0.6 meters apart in the garden bed or transplant young plants into containers filled with prepared soil.
- 5
First two weeks
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and mulch around the base to retain moisture and suppress weeds.
- 6
Ongoing care
Provide partial shade in hot climates, and deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- 7
Harvest or pruning
Prune back after flowering to maintain shape and promote new growth; harvest leaves and flowers for use in teas or infusions.
- 8
Common mistakes
Overwatering, planting in full sun, neglecting to deadhead spent blooms, and not providing enough partial shade.
VIEdible & utility
Edible & utility
Edible parts:FlowersLeaves
Edible uses: Tea
Contextrange · companions · related
VIIDistribution
30 native · 0 introduced
Distribution
30 native · 0 introducedDistribution across3 continents· 30 native
Europe12 regions
native (12)AlbaniaAustriaBelarusBelgiumCyprusDenmarkFranceGermanyGreeceHungaryRussiaSpain
Asia4 regions
native (4)AfghanistanBangladeshChinaIndia
Africa4 regions
native (4)AlgeriaEgyptEritreaEthiopia
Broader regions
native:Baltic States, Czechoslovakia, East Aegean Is., East Himalaya, Hainan
IXSpecimen gallery
1 image
Specimen gallery
1 imageXSee also
8 related
See also
8 relatedPlants you might compare or use together — scored by shared family, common use cases, and growing requirements.
shared use cases
Different families, similar therapeutic role — good for comparing.
XI
Explore further
Companion planting
Health goals
Compare with similar plants
Growing zone
XII
About this entry
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- Citation
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