Moss Verbena

Name: Moss Verbena
Brand: Outdoor Dream Builders

Glandularia tenera

A low-spreading perennial from South America that weaves a vibrant purple carpet beloved by butterflies.

Hardy in USDA zones 8-11; evergreen groundcover in the low desert that dies back in hard freezes and returns from roots or reseeds each spring.

AMWUA Notes

A long-blooming, moderate-water groundcover that covers ground quickly and keeps butterflies coming for months.

Care Guide

💧Watering

Water every 1-2 weeks through the long bloom season and every 2-3 weeks in winter; it flowers most heavily with steady but modest moisture.

✂️Pruning

Shear back by half whenever bloom slows to spark fresh flowering flushes; cut hard in late winter to renew a tired, woody patch.

🌱Fertilizing

A light spring feeding supports the extended bloom; otherwise not required.

🛡️Pests

Prone to spider mites in extreme heat and drought — keep it watered and rinse foliage; whiteflies are an occasional nuisance.

☀️Seasonal Notes

Blooms spring through fall and stays evergreen in mild winters, dying back only in hard frost; reseeds to spread.

🪨Soil

Lean to average, well-drained desert soils; tolerant of poor, rocky, or sandy ground; needs drainage.

💧Drainage

Needs well-drained soil.

🌱Nutrient Needs

Low feeder.

🌰Propagation

Seed or cuttings; trailing stems root where they touch soil and it reseeds to spread.

📐Spacing

2–2.5 ft

🌳Roots & Placement

Spreads by trailing, rooting stems and reseeding and can wander, but is shallow-rooted and easy to pull.

•Deploy as a fast, weed-smothering groundcover over slopes and open beds.
•Space plants 24-30 inches apart so the finely cut foliage knits into a continuous mat.
•Combine with taller upright perennials that rise above its low purple carpet.
•Give it full sun and warmth; it tolerates reflected heat along walks and drives.