Skip to content
🌻 Flower medium

Growing Verbena in Des Moines

🇺🇸 Zone 2 Planting Guide · Hot-summer humid continental climate

USDA Zone 2 170 frost-free days 60-90 days to harvest

Quick Answer: Growing Verbena in Des Moines

Yes, you can grow Verbena in Des Moines, US! Plant during Mar, Apr, May, Aug, Sep for best results. Des Moines is in USDA Zone 2 with a Hot-summer humid continental climate, offering 170 frost-free days per year. The difficulty level is medium, and Verbena takes 60-90 days to harvest. Verbena needs full sun and low watering.

Climate Match Analysis

Moderate Match Des Moines + Verbena

Des Moines's climate requires careful timing. Winter lows (-12°C) drop below Verbena's minimum (-5°C), so avoid cold months. Follow the recommended planting months for success.

Verbena tolerates -5°C to 32°C
Optimal: 15°C - 28°C
Des Moines range -12°C to 30°C

Des Moines Climate Data

USDA Zone
2
Frost-Free
170days
Winter Low
-12°C
Summer High
30°C
Rainfall
889mm/yr
Climate
Dfa
Hot-summer humid continental

Verbena Planting Calendar for Des Moines

Green months show the best time to plant Verbena in Des Moines

Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Plant Verbena Not recommended

Verbena Growing Requirements

☀️

Sunlight

Full Sun

6+ hours direct sunlight

💧

Water

Low

Drought tolerant, water sparingly

📅

Days to Harvest

60-90

From planting to first harvest

📊

Difficulty

medium

Some experience helpful

💡 Growing Tips for Verbena

Deadhead for continuous blooms. Drought-tolerant once established. Can be planted 2-3 weeks before the last expected frost, giving it a head start on the growing season. Overwatering is the most common mistake. Let soil dry out between waterings and ensure drainage is excellent.

Frost tolerance: Verbena is frost tolerant — you can plant earlier in spring.

How to Grow Verbena in Des Moines

Des Moines, US is in USDA Hardiness Zone 2 with a Hot-summer humid continental climate (Köppen Dfa). With winter lows of -12°C and summer highs of 30°C, the growing season spans approximately 170 frost-free days. Verbena grows well with some gardening knowledge in this climate.

Verbena thrives in temperatures between 15°C and 28°C, requiring full sun and low watering. In Des Moines, the best months to plant Verbena are March, April, May, August, September. Since Verbena can tolerate frost, you have flexibility to plant earlier in the season or extend into cooler months. Expect to harvest in approximately 60-90 days after planting.

With 889mm of annual rainfall, Des Moines provides moderate natural moisture. This should be adequate for Verbena's water needs.

Other Plants That Grow in Des Moines

More plants you can grow alongside Verbena in Des Moines

Keep Exploring

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I grow verbena in Des Moines?

Yes! Verbena can be successfully grown in Des Moines, US. Des Moines is in USDA Hardiness Zone 2 with a Hot-summer humid continental climate. The difficulty level for growing Verbena here is rated "medium". The best months to plant are March, April, May, August, September.

When should I plant verbena in Des Moines?

In Des Moines, the recommended planting months for Verbena are March, April, May, August, September. Des Moines has 170 frost-free days per year, with winter lows of -12°C and summer highs of 30°C. Verbena is frost tolerant, giving you more flexibility with planting dates.

How long does verbena take to grow in Des Moines?

Verbena typically takes 60-90 days from planting to harvest. In Des Moines's Hot-summer humid continental climate with 170 frost-free days, you have enough time with good planning to grow Verbena to maturity. Deadhead for continuous blooms. Drought-tolerant once established. Can be planted 2-3 weeks before the last expected frost, giving it a head start on the growing season. Overwatering is the most common mistake. Let soil dry out between waterings and ensure drainage is excellent.

Can I grow verbena indoors in Des Moines?

Verbena can potentially be grown indoors in Des Moines with proper conditions. It requires full sun (6+ hours of direct light — a south-facing window or grow lights recommended). Indoor growing extends your season beyond the Mar, Apr, May, Aug, Sep outdoor planting window. Use containers with good drainage and low watering.

What month do I plant verbena in Des Moines?

Plant Verbena in Des Moines during March, April, May, August, September. These are the optimal months based on Des Moines's USDA Zone 2 climate, 170 frost-free days, and temperature range of -12°C to 30°C.

Is verbena hard to grow in Des Moines?

Verbena is rated "medium" to grow in Des Moines. Some gardening experience is helpful. Pay attention to watering schedules and planting timing. The climate match for Verbena in Des Moines is Moderate.

What grows well with verbena in Des Moines?

In Des Moines, you can grow many companion plants alongside Verbena. Good options from the same planting window include Tomato, Basil, Lettuce, Carrot and 2 more. These plants share similar planting months and thrive in Des Moines's Zone 2 climate.

Does verbena need full sun in Des Moines?

Verbena requires full sun. In Des Moines, provide at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily. Most garden locations with southern exposure will work well.

Last updated: March 2026 · Climate data from NOAA, FAO, USDA

See an error? Report it