Lemon verbena (*Aloysia citrodora*) is a perennial shrub in the Verbenaceae family of plants, used for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Also known as lemon beebrush and lippia citriodora, lemon verbena is recognizable by its long, pointed leaves and rough texture.

Native to South America, this herb is grown in the wild of Peru and Chile and takes best to warm climates with full sun exposure. The lemon verbena plant grows up to 9 feet high and sprouts white flowers. The leaves of the lemon verbena plant release a potent lemony scent when bruised or rubbed, making it a popular addition to herb gardens. 

Lemon verbena has a bright, slightly sweet, herbaceous flavor with a distinct hint of lemon. Despite its strong lemon scent, this citrusy herb has a far less aggressive lemon flavor than [lemon balm](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-lemon-balm-homemade-lemon-balm-tea-recipe), lemon [thyme](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-thyme-how-to-dry-thyme-at-home-plus-11-thyme-recipes), lemon [mint](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-mint-plus-20-mint-recipes), and [lemongrass](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-lemongrass-an-essential-guide-to-lemongrass). 

This lemon-scented herb has a number of culinary uses ranging from rich roasts to sweet citrusy desserts and jams. Lemon verbena can be used to make flavorful olive oil-based salad dressings, subtle lemon ice cream, and lemon verbena [jelly](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-easy-homemade-jelly-basic-jelly), as well as season poultry dishes, [salsa verde](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/easy-salsa-verde-recipe-and-tips), and soups. It can be used in place of [lemon zest](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-zest-a-lemon-easy-lemon-zest-recipe-ideas) or dried lemon as a more subtle addition to dishes, or infused into pantry ingredients like sugar and vinegar. 

In Europe and other global destinations, tea lovers combine lemon verbena leaves with hot water to create a popular herbal tea known as Louisa in England, “te de cedron” in Mexican kitchens, and Luiza in Greek households. This kind of tea is also popular among French, Spanish, and Italian drinkers. Lemon verbena can also be used to make a flavorful iced tea or lemonade made with fresh lemon juice, lemon verbena, simple syrup, and [mint leaves](https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-mint-plus-20-mint-recipes). 

Lemon verbena tea made with fresh lemon verbena leaves and boiling water is commonly used to relieve the symptoms of colds including chills, fever, and congestion. Lemon verbena essential oil is also used topically to relieve muscle pain. 

Become a better home cook with the [MasterClass Annual Membership](https://www.masterclass.com/). Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by culinary masters, including Alice Waters, Gordon Ramsay, Chef Thomas Keller, and more.

Although the lemon verbena plant might look like common grass at first glance, once the intense fragrance is released from this unique shrub its true potential is revealed. Beloved by gardeners and tea makers alike, lemon verbena makes a wonderfully fragrant addition to any herb garden.

Although the lemon verbena plant might look like common grass at first glance, once the intense fragrance is released from this unique shrub its true potential is revealed. Beloved by gardeners and tea makers alike, lemon verbena makes a wonderfully fragrant addition to any herb garden.

What Is Lemon Verbena? Learn How to Cook With Lemon Verbena

Lemon verbena (Aloysia citrodora) is a perennial shrub in the Verbenaceae family of plants, used for both medicinal and culinary purposes. Also known as lemon beebrush and lippia citriodora, lemon verbena is recognizable by its long, pointed leaves and rough texture.Native to South America, this herb is grown in the wild of Peru and Chile and takes best to warm climates with full sun exposure. The lemon verbena plant grows up to 9 feet high and sprouts white flowers. The leaves of the lemon verbena plant release a potent lemony scent when bruised or rubbed, making it a popular addition to herb gardens.

What Is Lemon Verbena?

Lemon verbena has a bright, slightly sweet, herbaceous flavor with a distinct hint of lemon. Despite its strong lemon scent, this citrusy herb has a far less aggressive lemon flavor than <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-lemon-balm-homemade-lemon-balm-tea-recipe' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-lemon-balm-homemade-lemon-balm-tea-recipe","linkCopy":"lemon balm","category":null}'>lemon balm</a>, lemon <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-thyme-how-to-dry-thyme-at-home-plus-11-thyme-recipes' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-thyme-how-to-dry-thyme-at-home-plus-11-thyme-recipes","linkCopy":"thyme","category":null}'>thyme</a>, lemon <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-mint-plus-20-mint-recipes' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-mint-plus-20-mint-recipes","linkCopy":"mint","category":null}'>mint</a>, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-lemongrass-an-essential-guide-to-lemongrass' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/what-is-lemongrass-an-essential-guide-to-lemongrass","linkCopy":"lemongrass","category":null}'>lemongrass</a>.

What Does Lemon Verbena Taste Like?

This lemon-scented herb has a number of culinary uses ranging from rich roasts to sweet citrusy desserts and jams. Lemon verbena can be used to make flavorful olive oil-based salad dressings, subtle lemon ice cream, and lemon verbena <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-easy-homemade-jelly-basic-jelly' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-make-easy-homemade-jelly-basic-jelly","linkCopy":"jelly","category":null}'>jelly</a>, as well as season poultry dishes, <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/easy-salsa-verde-recipe-and-tips' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/easy-salsa-verde-recipe-and-tips","linkCopy":"salsa verde","category":null}'>salsa verde</a>, and soups. It can be used in place of <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-zest-a-lemon-easy-lemon-zest-recipe-ideas' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/how-to-zest-a-lemon-easy-lemon-zest-recipe-ideas","linkCopy":"lemon zest","category":null}'>lemon zest</a> or dried lemon as a more subtle addition to dishes, or infused into pantry ingredients like sugar and vinegar. In Europe and other global destinations, tea lovers combine lemon verbena leaves with hot water to create a popular herbal tea known as Louisa in England, “te de cedron” in Mexican kitchens, and Luiza in Greek households. This kind of tea is also popular among French, Spanish, and Italian drinkers. Lemon verbena can also be used to make a flavorful iced tea or lemonade made with fresh lemon juice, lemon verbena, simple syrup, and <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-mint-plus-20-mint-recipes' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/articles/learn-how-to-cook-with-mint-plus-20-mint-recipes","linkCopy":"mint leaves","category":null}'>mint leaves</a>.

What Are the Culinary Uses for Lemon Verbena?

Lemon verbena tea made with fresh lemon verbena leaves and boiling water is commonly used to relieve the symptoms of colds including chills, fever, and congestion. Lemon verbena essential oil is also used topically to relieve muscle pain. Become a better home cook with the <a href='https://www.masterclass.com/' target='_self' class='mc-text--link' data-mc-segment-trigger='true' data-mc-segment-event-type='Article Page Click' data-event-obj='{"textTag":"p","href":"https://www.masterclass.com/","linkCopy":"MasterClass Annual Membership","category":null}'>MasterClass Annual Membership</a>. Gain access to exclusive video lessons taught by culinary masters, including Alice Waters, Gordon Ramsay, Chef Thomas Keller, and more.

What Are the Health Benefits of Lemon Verbena?

Although the lemon verbena plant might look like common grass at first glance, once the intense fragrance is released from this unique shrub its true potential is revealed. Beloved by gardeners and tea makers alike, lemon verbena makes a wonderfully fragrant addition to any herb garden.

Although the lemon verbena plant might look like common grass at first glance, once the intense fragrance is released from this unique shrub its true potential is revealed. Beloved by gardeners and tea makers alike, lemon verbena makes a wonderfully fragrant addition to any herb garden.
