How to Grow Purple Verbena Empress Purple

Purple Verbena Empress Purple

Verbena × hybrida 'Empress Purple'

flower

Empress Purple is a compact, mounding verbena cultivar prized for its vibrant deep purple flowers that bloom prolifically from spring through fall. This tender perennial is typically grown as an annual and produces dense clusters of small flowers that attract butterflies and pollinators. It's an excellent choice for containers, borders, and landscape plantings due to its low-maintenance nature and continuous blooming.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (tolerates partial shade but flowers less prolifically)

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Water: Moderate watering; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Water at soil level to avoid wetting foliage. Drought-tolerant once established.

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Spacing: 12-18 inches

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Days to maturity: 50-70 days from transplant to first flowers

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Planting depth: Surface sow seeds (light required for germination); transplants at soil line

Soil

Type: Well-draining loamy to sandy soil

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost Perlite Coarse sand

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 5-10; hardy perennial in zones 9-11, grown as annual in cooler zones

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a

Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings emerge with cotyledons and first true leaves appearing within 7-14 days. Plants remain small and delicate.

Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide 14-16 hours of light daily under grow lights or in a bright window. Maintain temperature of 70-75°F. Thin seedlings to prevent crowding.

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plants develop multiple stems and bushy foliage. Leaves are lance-shaped and slightly serrated with gray-green coloring. Root system becomes more robust.

Pinch back growing tips at 4-6 inches to encourage branching and a more compact, mounded form. Reduce watering frequency as plants mature. Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions if starting indoors.

Pre-Flowering

1-2 weeks

Plants reach full compact size (typically 12-18 inches tall and wide). Flower buds begin forming at branch tips.

Continue pinching if more compact growth is desired, but stop pinching 4-6 weeks before desired bloom time. Begin fertilizing with balanced or slightly phosphorus-heavy fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.

Flowering

8-12 weeks (continuous with deadheading)

Dense clusters (umbels) of small purple flowers appear at stem terminals. Flowers continue blooming in waves throughout the growing season.

Deadhead spent flower clusters regularly to promote continuous blooming. Water during dry spells but allow soil to dry between waterings. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with lower-nitrogen formula to encourage flowering.

Peak Bloom & Maintenance

4-8 weeks

Plant achieves maximum flowering with dense purple flower clusters covering the mounded form. Overall plant appearance is full and attractive.

Maintain regular deadheading schedule. Reduce watering in cooler fall months. Cut back plant by one-third in mid-summer if it becomes leggy. Monitor for pests and disease.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Salvia Calibrachoa Petunia Dusty Miller Marigold Zinnias Lantana Angelita Daisy

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring consistently moist soil Shade-loving perennials Heavy feeders like tomatoes or corn in competition for nutrients

Common Pests

Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; increase humidity; hose off foliage regularly; remove heavily infested leaves
Use yellow sticky traps; apply insecticidal soap or neem oil; encourage natural predators like ladybugs; avoid excessive nitrogen fertilization
Spray with strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap; use neem oil; plant near repellent plants like garlic or chives
Improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; remove affected leaves; apply sulfur-based fungicide or baking soda spray; reduce nitrogen fertilization
Ensure excellent drainage; allow soil to dry between waterings; use well-draining potting mix; remove and discard severely affected plants; improve air circulation

Uses

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Edible Garnish

Culinary

Purple verbena flowers are edible and can be used to garnish desserts, salads, and beverages. They add a slightly bitter, herbal flavor and vibrant color to culinary presentations. [source]

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Cut Flower Arrangements

Household

The dense purple flower clusters are excellent for fresh and dried flower arrangements. They hold color well when dried and add texture to bouquets and floral displays. [source]

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Pollinator Magnet

Wildlife

Purple Verbena Empress is highly attractive to butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds, making it a valuable nectar source for pollinators from mid-spring through fall. [source]

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Traditional Herbal Uses

Medicinal

Verbena species have been used in traditional medicine for centuries to support respiratory health and promote relaxation. Some herbalists use verbena tea as a mild sedative. [source]

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Dried Flowers for Crafts

Craft

The vibrant purple flowers dry beautifully and can be used in pressed flower crafts, potpourri, flower pressing, and decorative arrangements. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

This is an ornamental flower, not harvested for food, but deadheading is essential. Pinch off spent flower clusters just below the base as soon as flowers fade. For fresh cut flowers, harvest early morning when stems are hydrated, cutting just above a leaf node. Flowers last 5-7 days in a vase with fresh water.

Fun Facts

🌱 Purple Verbena Empress Purple is a hybrid variety (Verbena × hybrida) created through selective breeding to produce superior ornamental qualities, including its intense purple color and compact growth habit.
🌱 Verbena flowers have been symbols of healing and protection in folklore for over 2,000 years, with ancient Romans calling it 'sacred herb' and using it in religious ceremonies.
🌱 Deadheading verbena encourages continuous blooming throughout the season—a single plant can produce hundreds of flower clusters over 3-4 months if flowers are regularly removed.

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