Blue Vervain

Basic Information

Seed Number

40

Seed Name

Blue Vervain

Variety

Not recorded

Category

Medicinal

Plant Family

Verbenaceae

Plant Type

Blue vervain (Verbena hastata)

Planting Method

Direct Sow or Transplant

Seed Status

In Seed Bank

Created

2026-08-14 00:50:34

Updated

2026-08-19 15:35:29

Planting Information

Start Planting Date

Mar 15

Last Recommended Planting Date

May 31

Plantable Months

March, April, May

Indoor Start

Mar 15 – Apr 15

Direct Sow

Apr 1 – May 15

Transplant

May 5 – May 31

Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost

Not recorded

Transplant Weeks After Frost

0 weeks

Germination Days

14–28 days

Harvest/Maturity

Not recorded

Succession Planting

Not recorded

Growing Conditions

Ideal Soil Temperature

Warm soil after cold conditioning

Planting Depth

Barely cover

Plant Spacing

24 in

Row Spacing

24-36 in

Thin-To Spacing

24 in

Sun Requirements

Full sun to partial shade

Water Needs

Prefers consistently moist soil and tolerates periodically wet conditions

Soil Preference

Moist garden soil; well-drained soil is not essential and plants tolerate wet sites

Minimum Container Size

3-5 gal

Plant Height

24-60 in

Perennial/Biennial Status

Perennial

Container Friendly

Yes

Trellis/Support Needed

No

Frost Tolerant

Yes

Heat Tolerant

Yes

Drought Tolerant

No

Pollinator Friendly

Yes

Medicinal

Yes

Garden Uses

Companion Planting

Storage

Seed Source/Brand

MSU Extension; Detroit frost dates; Almanac Detroit

Packet Year

Not recorded

Quantity Notes

Not recorded

Purchase Date

Not recorded

Expiration Year

Not recorded

Storage Box

Not recorded

Container

Not recorded

Envelope

Not recorded

Row

Not recorded

Slot

Not recorded

Storage Notes

Not recorded

Notes

Original Planting Method: Start indoors or direct sow; many benefit from cold stratification
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Apr 15 – Jun 15; Sep 1 – Oct 15 for fall sowing
Germination Time: 10–30+ days
Days to Harvest / Bloom: Blooms/harvest often year 2
Container Friendly: Yes for many; deep-rooted types prefer ground
Succession / Reusable Notes: Great for permanent herb/medicinal beds.
Zone 6B Notes: Many medicinal perennials need patience and may not bloom first year.
Companion Plants: Yarrow, echinacea, calendula, lavender, sage, thyme, oregano, clover, native flowers
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Crowded/overly wet beds
Sources: MSU Extension: https://www.canr.msu.edu/resources/garden_planning_calendar | Detroit frost dates: https://www.ufseeds.com/vegetable-planting-calendar-detroit-michigan.html | Almanac Detroit: https://www.almanac.com/gardening/planting-calendar/MI/Detroit

[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT START]]
Zone 6B: Blue vervain is hardy through Zone 6B and is native to eastern North America. It performs especially well in moist areas, rain gardens and pond margins.
Germination: Give seed approximately 2 weeks of moist cold conditioning or sow in early spring. Barely cover and tamp firmly. Germination generally occurs in 2-4 weeks.
Harvest: For traditional herbal use, aerial portions are commonly harvested during flowering.
Seed Saving: Allow flower spikes to mature and dry before collecting seed. Plants can self-seed where conditions are suitable.
Special Care: Can spread in favorable moist conditions. Deadhead after flowering or grow in a container if spread is a concern.
Research Source: Strictly Medicinal Seeds — https://strictlymedicinalseeds.com/product/vervain-blue-verbena-hastata-seeds-organic/ — hardiness, sun, moisture, cold conditioning, germination, sowing depth and 24-inch spacing
Research Source: NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/verbena-hastata/ — species identification, perennial habit and traditional medicinal use
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/landscape-design/rain-gardens — 24-60 inch height and suitability for wet rain-garden conditions
[[RESEARCH ENRICHMENT END]]