Other Aloysia
Closely related shrubs can share a lemon scent and whorled leaves; consult the regional key.
Use the botanical sourceCulinary reference
Lemon verbena.
Aloysia citrodora
Also found as Cedrón · Yerba luisa · Aloysia triphylla
A South American aromatic shrub with narrow leaves, widely cultivated for flavoring and herbal tea.
Sources checked 9 September 2026 · Specialist field review pending
Before any gathering or use
Several plants are called verbena or yerba luisa. Do not substitute on the common name alone.
Where it grows
Tracked records and known growing zone
- Verified records
- 266
- People who recorded it
- 245
- Most records (northern hemisphere)
- May–Aug, Oct
- Records span
- 2013–2026
| January | 3 |
|---|---|
| February | 7 |
| March | 6 |
| April | 7 |
| May | 8 |
| June | 18 |
| July | 11 |
| August | 12 |
| September | 2 |
| October | 12 |
| November | 4 |
| December | 3 |
| January | 23 |
|---|---|
| February | 11 |
| March | 13 |
| April | 30 |
| May | 15 |
| June | 20 |
| July | 2 |
| August | 4 |
| September | 9 |
| October | 8 |
| November | 20 |
| December | 18 |
Research-grade iNaturalist records, snapshot Aug 27, 2026. The growing zone combines areas where different people have repeatedly verified it. Records show where people looked and found it, not current abundance or permission to gather.
01 / Learn to see
Field marks
- 01
Lance-shaped leaves usually in whorls of three, sometimes opposite.
- 02
Strong lemon fragrance supports other characters.
- 03
Small flowers arranged in slender spike-like clusters.
These are study prompts, not a complete identification key. Confirm the full plant with a regional flora and an experienced local identifier.
02 / Resolve the differences
Look closely. Compare.
Selected comparisons only. Other lookalikes may occur locally.
03 / Meet the place
Habitat & season
Range context
Native to southern Bolivia and northwestern Argentina in the Kew account; widely cultivated.
Watch the plant stage
Healthy leaves during active growth on an established shrub.
Stage guidance is not a local forecast. Check your climate, elevation and a regional source; no month-shift formula is used here.
04 / Gather with care
Documented use & care
Parts discussed: Leaf
Identified cultivated leaves have a documented herbal-tea and flavoring use.
Care for the patch
Clip a few leafy tips from a permitted garden shrub.
Preparation & storage essentials05 / Follow the evidence
Sources & review
- Kew POWO · Lemon verbenaBotanical description, range and documented use
Checked 9 September 2026. Original editorial synthesis; source institutions have not reviewed or endorsed this guide. Independent botanical field review is pending. Photos illustrate specimens; they do not certify the identity of a plant you find.
Suggest a correction