Whether you are looking for a live herb shrub that fills your patio with a bright lemon aroma or a unique houseplant whose leaves fold up at night like praying hands, the search often brings you to two distinct corners of the plant world. You need a plant that actually lives up to its “lemon” name — not just a label trick with zero fragrance or visual payoff.
I’m Mohammad Maruf — the founder and writer behind Gardening Beyond. I spend my time cross-referencing botanical data, comparing grower guarantees, and analyzing aggregated owner feedback across dozens of real shipments to separate the thriving arrivals from the wilted promises.
After sifting through the options, the right choice comes down to whether you need a drought-tolerant shrub for the garden or a pet-safe indoor beauty. This guide breaks down the strongest contenders for the lemon licorice plant category by matching each to a specific use scenario.
How To Choose The Best Lemon Licorice Plant
The term “Lemon Licorice Plant” can point to a fragrant perennial shrub or a variegated prayer plant. Your choice depends entirely on where you plan to grow it and what sensory payoff you expect — fragrance, visual movement, or both.
Understand the Two Main Categories
The first fork in the road is whether you want an outdoor culinary shrub (like Lemon Verbena) or an indoor tropical houseplant (such as the Lemon Lime Maranta). The shrub produces a strong lemon scent from its foliage and works in teas, while the Maranta offers a visual show with leaves that move up and down but no fragrance at all.
Check Hardiness and Light Requirements
An outdoor lemon verbena shrub thrives in USDA Zones 8–11 with full sun and well-draining soil. If you live in a colder zone, you’ll need to overwinter it indoors or treat it as an annual. The prayer plant, on the other hand, prefers bright indirect light indoors and a warm, humid environment between 65–75°F — direct sun will scorch its leaves.
Decide Between Fragrance and Foliage Movement
This is the defining split. Lemon verbena releases a powerful lemon aroma when you brush its leaves, making it ideal for patios, herb gardens, and mosquito-repelling borders. A Lemon Lime Prayer Plant does not smell like lemon at all; its “lemon” refers to the lime-green and yellow coloring of its leaves. The prayer plant’s main attraction is its nyctinasty — leaves that fold upward at night like hands in prayer.
Quick Comparison
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| Model | Category | Best For | Key Spec | Amazon |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| CitronellaKing 2 Lemon Verbena Plants | Outdoor Shrub | Culinary Use & Fragrance | Mature Height 6 Feet | Amazon |
| Thorsen’s Lemon Lime Prayer Plant | Indoor Houseplant | Pet-Safe Indoor Decor | Leaf Movement (Nyctinasty) | Amazon |
| Hopewind Lemon Lime Maranta | Indoor Houseplant | Air Purification & Gifting | 12–16 Inch Tall Plant | Amazon |
| ragnaroc Lemon-Lime Maranta | Indoor Houseplant | Hardy Beginner Plant | 7–12 Inch Tall Plant | Amazon |
| California Tropicals Lemon Lime Prayer Plant | Indoor Houseplant | Cold-Weather Shipping Safety | 4 Inch Pot Size | Amazon |
In‑Depth Reviews
1. CitronellaKing 2 Lemon Verbena Plants
This is the only true “lemon” option on the list if you are after fragrance you can taste and smell. The Lemon Verbena (Aloysia citrodora) releases a concentrated lemon aroma from its narrow bright green leaves the moment you brush them. Owners consistently report that the plants arrive in well-hydrated nursery cubes with healthy root systems, and multiple verified buyers called it the best plant purchase of the year.
As an outdoor perennial for USDA Zones 8–11, this shrub reaches 3–6 feet tall and 3–4 feet wide at maturity. It is heat-loving, drought-tolerant once established, and naturally repels mosquitoes — making it a dual-purpose addition to any border or container. The 30-day replacement guarantee from a veteran-and-family-owned nursery adds confidence for first-time online plant buyers.
One buyer noted the plants were smaller than expected but still healthy and thriving weeks later after being used for weekly verbena tea. That aligns with the general feedback: the size at arrival is modest, but the growth rate and hardiness are excellent for the price point.
What works
- Powerful lemon fragrance from foliage — ideal for teas and culinary use
- Drought-tolerant and fast-growing once established in full sun
- Two-count package provides immediate volume for garden borders
What doesn’t
- Not suitable for indoor growing — requires full outdoor sun
- Starter plants may appear small upon arrival
- Limited to warm climates (Zones 8–11) without overwintering
2. Thorsen’s Greenhouse Lemon Lime Prayer Plant
Thorsen’s Greenhouse delivers one of the most reliably healthy prayer plants in this lineup. The Lemon Lime Maranta arrives in a 4-inch diameter white pot with a plant height of 5–8 inches at shipping time. Owners highlight that the leaves display vibrant bright green with dark green stripes and that the plant continues to push out new growth within the first week of receiving it.
What sets this unit apart is its excellent customer support reputation. One buyer received a second plant after a shipping misunderstanding at no extra cost, and the plant itself is thriving after two months. The plant is ASPCA-recognized as non-toxic, making it one of the safest options for homes with curious cats or dogs.
The prayer plant is an air purifier according to NASA findings, and its leaves move throughout the day to track the sunlight. This is 100% a visual and air-quality houseplant — it has no lemon fragrance. If you want a decorative piece that is easy to maintain and completely safe around pets, this is the premium choice.
What works
- ASPCA-certified non-toxic and safe for pets
- Leaves fold upward at night — living kinetic decor
- Strong customer support and replacement policy
What doesn’t
- No lemon fragrance — “lemon” refers only to leaf color
- Requires bright indirect light; direct sun burns leaves
- Smaller pot size may require repotting shortly after arrival
3. Hopewind Lemon Lime Maranta Prayer Plant
Hopewind’s Lemon Lime Maranta is among the largest starter plants in this comparison, arriving at 12–16 inches tall in a 4-inch nursery pot. Verified buyers consistently mention its robust size and rapid growth — one owner posted photos showing significant leaf expansion within just five weeks of receiving it. The plant uses organic material and is hand-packed at a certified California facility with eco-friendly materials.
This plant is explicitly advertised as pet friendly and cat safe, with the ASPCA recognizing prayer plants as non-toxic. It is also marketed as an air purifier that can improve indoor atmosphere quality. The care instructions are thorough: bright indirect light, water every 1–2 weeks when the top half of soil dries, and occasional misting for humidity.
One buyer reported that despite the plant surviving a blizzard during shipping from California to Missouri, it arrived with the soil still moist and the leaves intact. That level of packaging quality is a strong signal for anyone worried about transit damage. The only downside is that it is an indoor-only plant with zero lemon fragrance.
What works
- Largest starter size at 12–16 inches tall
- Organic material and eco-friendly packaging used
- Survives harsh shipping conditions with proper moisture retention
What doesn’t
- No lemon scent whatsoever — color name only
- Requires supplemental humidity or misting for best growth
- Narrow pot may need upgrading within a few weeks
4. ragnaroc Lemon-Lime Maranta Prayer Plant
The plant ships with a ragnaroc Care Card that outlines its preference for medium filtered light and loose-draining soil. Verified reviews mention it is hardy enough to survive a postal delay of 10 days while still showing new growth.
This variety originates from Brazil and grows as a ground cover, naturally spreading to fill its pot over time. It is non-toxic and pet-friendly, just like the other Marantas on this list. The foliage displays the classic lemon-lime variegation with light green to emerald hues and the characteristic night-time leaf folding action.
A small number of buyers reported that the plant arrived with creased leaves or brown tips, which is a known risk with any live plant shipment. However, the majority of feedback points to a healthy specimen that bounces back quickly with proper care. For anyone looking to test their skills with a prayer plant at a lower entry cost, this is the smart starting point.
What works
- Compact size fits small desksills and shelves easily
- Non-toxic and safe for pets and children
- Recovers well from short shipping delays — hardy genetics
What doesn’t
- Occasional leaf damage during transit reported
- Smaller starting size than Hopewind offering
- No lemon fragrance — purely visual appeal
5. California Tropicals Lemon Lime Prayer Plant
California Tropicals positions this Lemon Lime Prayer Plant as a cold-sensitive indoor beauty, which is an honest and important distinction. The seller explicitly warns that this Maranta variety is sensitive to cold weather and recommends adding a winter insurance heat pack during chilly months. The packaging includes a silver cool shield wrap that has successfully protected plants even during Chicago winter transit, according to verified reviews.
The plant arrives in a 4-inch pot and thrives in partial shade with moderate watering. One buyer mentioned they needed to repot it immediately because the nursery pot was small, but the plant itself was healthy and put out new leaves within the first week. California Tropicals is a reliable brand for tropical live plants, with repeat customers praising their consistent packaging standards.
The biggest drawback is that this prayer plant can be sensitive — if you skip the cold protection add-on during winter months, you risk receiving a damaged plant. One buyer reported the plant died shortly after arrival. That risk is manageable if you follow the seller’s guidance, but it means this option is best suited for warmer months or for buyers who remember to add the heat pack.
What works
- Excellent cold-weather packaging with silver shield wrap
- Propagates easily by snipping new leaves at stem base
- Vibrant lime and yellow variegation stands out
What doesn’t
- Cold-sensitive — requires heat pack add-on in winter
- Risk of plant death if shipped without cold protection
- Small nursery pot needs immediate repotting
Hardware & Specs Guide
Mature Height vs. Growing Habit
The Lemon Verbena shrub grows upright and can reach 6 feet tall, making it suitable for outdoor borders or large containers. In contrast, the Lemon Lime Maranta prayer plants grow sideways as a ground cover, typically staying under 16 inches tall in a pot. This difference dictates whether you need vertical garden space or a compact tabletop plant.
Light and Temperature Needs
Lemon Verbena demands full sun (6+ hours daily) and thrives in warm climates (Zones 8–11). Prayer plants prefer bright indirect light and temperatures between 65–75°F. Direct sunlight burns maranta leaves, while insufficient light causes Lemon Verbena to become leggy. Matching light conditions to the plant type is the most common mistake beginners make.
Watering Frequency and Soil Type
Lemon Verbena is drought-tolerant and prefers well-draining soil with moderate watering — water when the top inch of soil dries out. Prayer plants need moderate watering with slightly more consistent moisture; the top half of the soil should dry before the next watering. Overwatering a maranta leads to root rot, while underwatering a verbena causes leaf drop.
Fragrance and Foliage Movement
The CitronellaKing Lemon Verbena produces a strong lemon scent from its leaves and is edible for teas and culinary use. The prayer plants (Thorsen’s, Hopewind, ragnaroc, California Tropicals) have zero fragrance — their “lemon” name describes only the leaf color. However, prayer plants offer nyctinasty: leaves that fold upward at night and lower during the day.
FAQ
Does the Lemon Lime Prayer Plant smell like lemon?
Can I grow Lemon Verbena indoors during winter?
Why are my prayer plant leaves turning yellow?
Final Thoughts: The Verdict
For most gardeners seeking a true lemon fragrance they can use in teas and enjoy outdoors, the lemon licorice plant winner is the CitronellaKing 2 Lemon Verbena Plants because it delivers the only real lemon scent on this list with drought-tolerant hardiness and a 30-day replacement guarantee. If you want a pet-safe indoor houseplant with eye-catching leaf movement and no fragrance, grab the Thorsen’s Greenhouse Lemon Lime Prayer Plant. And for the best value starter prayer plant that survives transit well, nothing beats the ragnaroc Lemon-Lime Maranta.