Verbena in Zone 9a & 9b
Glandularia spp.
Yes, verbena grows in zones 9a and 9b. Start seeds indoors Dec 7–Dec 14 and plant out Feb 22–Mar 1.
When to plant verbena in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Either: Start indoors for an earlier harvest, or direct-sow outside for less fuss. Either works.
| Start indoors | Dec 7–Dec 14 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Feb 22–Mar 1 |
| Estimated bloom | May 13–May 20 (~80 days after planting) |
Spacing: about 2 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-1 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of verbena in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumFeb 22–Mar 1
- MarigoldFeb 22–Mar 1
- Ageratum (Flossflower)Feb 22–Mar 1
- AmaryllisFeb 22–Mar 1
- Annual Geranium (Pelargonium)Feb 22–Mar 1
- Butterfly Weed (Asclepias)Feb 22–Mar 1
Verbena is a low, spreading groundcover flower, 6 to 12 inches at most, that does most of its work at ground level, filling gaps between taller plants and covering bare soil with tight, flat-topped clusters of small purple, pink, red, or white flowers through the hot months.
How verbena fits zone 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Verbena needs about 80 days from sowing to first bloom.
Verbena planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 5a & 5b | Mar 1–Mar 8 | May 17–May 24 | Aug 5–Aug 12 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 14–Feb 21 | May 2–May 9 | Jul 21–Jul 28 |
| 7a & 7b | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Apr 17–Apr 24 | Jul 6–Jul 13 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 14–Jan 21 | Apr 1–Apr 8 | Jun 20–Jun 27 |
| 9a & 9b (your zone) | Dec 7–Dec 14 | Feb 22–Mar 1 | May 13–May 20 |
| 10a & 10bFall window | Not usually | Sep–Nov | ~80 days after planting |
Bloom dates are about 80 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for verbena.
Where to buy verbena seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's verbena seeds)
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing verbena" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Verbena in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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