Bushy lippia (Lippia alba)
Care, watering, light and tips for Bushy lippia on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Verbenaceae
- Difficulty: Easy to care for
- Watering: every 7 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Bushy lippia
Lippia alba, commonly known as Bushy Lippia, is an aromatic subshrub from the Verbenaceae family, cherished for its fragrant leaves and small flowers that attract pollinators. It exhibits a sprawling or slightly upright growth habit, with stems often woody at the base and grayish-green foliage. It's an excellent choice for herb gardens, sunny borders, or as a ground cover in warm climates, adding a wild and aromatic touch.
Native range
Tropical Americas, from the Southern United States to Argentina and Uruguay.
Care tips
It thrives in full sun exposure for optimal growth and abundant flowering, though it tolerates partial shade. It requires moderate watering, allowing the substrate to dry out slightly between waterings; it's quite drought-tolerant once established. Use a well-draining substrate, preferably sandy or with good organic matter content. A common mistake is overwatering, which can lead to root rot, especially in heavy soils.
How to save a dying Bushy lippia
- Warning signs
- Yellow or wilting leaves, soft stems, lack of growth.
- First aid
- Check drainage, reduce watering. If potted, repot to good drainage. Prune dry branches.
- What kills it
- Overwatering and lack of sun. It doesn't tolerate waterlogging or dense shade.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes, if you act quickly. It's a resilient plant that recovers well with proper care.