Bright clusters of purple, pink, and bicolor verbena flowers with text overlay reading ‘How to Start Verbena Seeds Successfully’ – seed starting guide image

Starting Verbena Seeds: Complete Guide for Success

Why Start Verbena Seeds?

Verbena (Verbena hybrida) is one of the most versatile and colorful bedding plants. Known for its long flowering season and tolerance of heat, verbena is widely used in garden borders, patio pots, and hanging baskets. Gardeners and commercial growers alike love it for its ease of culture once established and its ability to provide months of vibrant color.

Growing verbena from seed allows you to select the exact varieties you want and produce healthy, uniform plants at a fraction of the cost of buying in finished plants. Starting from seed also opens up the opportunity for larger plantings—whether you’re filling garden beds at home or producing packs, quarts, and gallons for resale.

👉 Shop Bulk Verbena Seeds at TrailingPetuniaBulkSeeds.com
👉 Shop Smaller Packs at TrailingPetunia.com

Key Specifications for Verbena Seedlings

  • Botanical name: Verbena hybrida

  • Growth habit: Upright, compact

  • Garden height: 8–10” (20–25 cm)

  • Garden spread: 10–12” (25–30 cm)

  • Exposure: Full sun

  • Uses: Packs, containers, landscapes, patio pots, combinations

This makes verbena especially suitable for growers looking to supply bedding flats, 4–6” pots, and patio-ready combo planters.

Step 1: Germinating Verbena Seeds

Verbena seeds germinate quickly when conditions are correct. Follow these recommendations:

  • Germination time: 4–7 days

  • Temperature: 73–76 °F (23–24 °C)

  • Light: Not required for germination

  • Seed cover: Yes, cover lightly with media or vermiculite

  • Moisture level: Maintain at Level 3 (MOIST)—soil is brown, slightly squeezable with a few drops of water, but not saturated

Tray & Seeding Setup

  • Use a 288-cell tray for uniform plug production.

  • Sow 1 seed per cell. Verbena seeds are best sown by hand or with a precision seeder.

  • Pre-moisten media to level 3 before sowing. After sowing, irrigate lightly only as needed.

Important Tip: Verbena prefers germination “on the dry side.” Overwatering increases risk of damping off and fungus gnat problems.

Step 2: Young Plant Production

Once seedlings emerge, conditions should be adjusted to encourage strong rooting.

  • Temperature: Day 68–70 °F (20–21 °C), Night 68–70 °F (20–21 °C)

  • Lighting: 14 hours beneficial; 3,500–4,500 foot-candles

  • Daily Light Integral (DLI): 12–14 mols/day

  • Media pH: 5.5–5.9

  • Fertilizer: 75–125 ppm N

  • Moisture: Alternate between level 3 (moist) and 4 (wet). Avoid waterlogging.

Growth regulation: Verbena usually does not need pinching. If growth is too vigorous, apply B-Nine® WSG at 2,500 ppm.

Plug grow time: 6–7 weeks in 288-cell trays.

Step 3: Transplanting Verbena

Verbena is ready to transplant when plugs are well-rooted but not root-bound.

  • Timing: 6–7 weeks from sowing in 288-cell trays

  • Transplant depth: Place the plug slightly below the surface level in the final container, covering the root ball completely

  • Pot sizes & crop time:

    • Large packs: 6–7 weeks

    • Pints (4 inch): 6–8 weeks

    • Quarts (4.5–5 inch): 7–9 weeks

    • Trade gallons (5.5–6.5 inch): 7–10 weeks

Finishing Conditions:

  • Day: 70–72 °F (21–22 °C)

  • Night: 64–66 °F (18–19 °C)

  • Media pH: 5.8–6.2

  • Fertilizer: 125–175 ppm N

  • Light intensity: 4,000–6,000 foot-candles

Step 4: Moisture & Irrigation Management

Verbena must be grown with alternating moisture levels to prevent root disease.

  • Stage 1 & 2 (germination): Maintain moisture level 3

  • Stage 3 & 4 (young plants): Alternate between levels 3 and 4

  • Finishing: Alternate between levels 2 (medium) and 4 (wet)

This cycling encourages strong root growth and minimizes issues like Pythium and Rhizoctonia.

Common Pests & Diseases

Verbena seedlings and mature plants can be prone to certain pests and diseases.

  • Pests: Thrips, aphids, spider mites, fungus gnats, shore flies

  • Diseases: Pythium, Rhizoctonia, Powdery mildew, Tomato Spotted Wilt Virus (TSWV), Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV)

Thrips Management: Thrips are the most serious insect pest in verbena because they can transmit Tospoviruses. Begin a scouting and control program early.

Crop Scheduling Example

For a 1.0 pint pot crop, grown from plugs:

  • 3 weeks from transplant: Spray with B-Nine® if needed

  • 5 weeks from transplant: Second B-Nine® spray if required

  • 8 weeks from transplant: Plants are ready to ship or set outside

Tips for Home Gardeners Starting Verbena Indoors

If you’re starting verbena seeds indoors for your own garden:

  • Use a small cell tray or peat pellets

  • Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy

  • Provide supplemental light if growing in winter

  • Transplant seedlings once they have 2–3 sets of true leaves

  • Harden off before planting outdoors in spring

Troubleshooting Verbena Seed Germination

  • Seeds not sprouting? Check temperature (needs 73–76 °F) and moisture (too wet causes failure).

  • Leggy seedlings? Increase light intensity or reduce temperature.

  • Yellow leaves? Provide balanced fertilizer at 75–125 ppm N.

  • Powdery mildew? Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering.

Why Verbena Is a Top Choice for Growers

  • Fast germination and uniform plugs

  • Compact, easy-to-finish habit

  • Vibrant flowers for packs, pots, or landscape use

  • Long-lasting blooms that hold up well in retail and home gardens

👉 Order Bulk Verbena Seeds at TrailingPetuniaBulkSeeds.com
👉 Explore Smaller Packs of Verbena Seeds at TrailingPetunia.com

Back to blog