How big does Purpletop vervain grow?

About 1.5 m × 60 cm after ten years (height × width).

What soil does Purpletop vervain grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, sandy, calcareous.

Is Purpletop vervain hardy?

Hardy down to -18 °C (USDA zone 6, RHS H6). In the colder parts of the country (Banská Bystrica Region, Prešov Region, Žilina Region) it may not survive winter without protection.

When does Purpletop vervain flower?

Flowering: June–October, purple.

How much water does Purpletop vervain need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Purpletop vervain cost?

It sells for roughly €4 to €7 in local shops, depending on size.

Purpletop vervain

Verbena bonariensis

Purpletop vervain (Verbena bonariensis) is a perennial that reaches 1.5 m × 60 cm after ten years. Light: full sun. Hardy down to -18 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Sold in local shops from about €4.

Illustration of Purpletop vervain — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

Tall, airy, almost leafless stems carry clusters of purple flowers from summer until the frosts, and butterflies and bees visit them all day. You can see through it, so it works at the front or in the middle of a border; give it a sunny, warm spot and free-draining soil. It is not reliably winter hardy and is short-lived, but it self-seeds generously and usually renews itself from seedlings year after year.

Watch out for

In Central Europe its winter hardiness is borderline: it survives mild winters in a sheltered spot and dry soil, but in hard frost or in wet, heavy soil the crowns often die. Do not cut it back in autumn, cover the crown with a dry mulch and let it drop seed, because the seedlings that come up in spring replace the plants lost to frost. In a spot it likes it seeds very freely into the bed and into gravel, so you will have to weed out seedlings or cut off the spent flower heads before the seed ripens. Powdery mildew can appear on the leaves in late summer but rarely does real harm.

Key facts

Light: Full sun
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 1.5 m × 60 cm
Hardiness: down to -18 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D June–October, purple

Group	Perennial
Light	Full sun
Size after 10 years	1.5 m × 60 cm
Ultimate size	0.9–1.8 m × 45–90 cm
Hardiness	down to -18 °C (USDA 6, RHS H6)
Soil	Average garden soil, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	June–October, purple
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	no data
Distance from paving	no data
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	45 cm
For dogs	no data
For cats	no data
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €4

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
10-15 cm	approx. €4
11 cm	approx. €5.30
20-25 cm	approx. €7
size not stated	approx. €5.60

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 8, 2026 · How our data is made

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