Why Do My Verbenas Keep Dying?

If left unpruned, it may appear to be dying as it goes to seed. Overwatering is also deadly for the verbena so water only when the soil is dry. Too much fertilizer or fertilizer applied on a hot day can burn the plant's roots which can kill it.

Why are my verbenas dying?

If your purple verbena is stressed from lack of sunlight or water or is otherwise weakened, it is susceptible to a powdery mildew infection that leaves a white fungal powder on the leaves' surfaces, shoots and flowers, and which causes premature leaf death.

How do you save a dying verbena?

If there's life left in the verbena, it should perk up or send out new shoots within a few days. Assuming that happens, snip off any dead branches and keep watering. Once the plant is growing again, start to add a half- or quarter-strength balanced fertilizer every few days.

Sarah Jenkins

Sarah Jenkins

Senior Technology Editor & AI Specialist

Sarah Jenkins is a veteran tech journalist with over 12 years of experience covering artificial intelligence, mobile innovations, and digital ethics. Her insights have appeared in leading technology publications worldwide.