How to Grow Lemon Balm

Typical names:
Lemon Balm, Sweet Balm, Common Balm, Sugary Food Mary, Balm, Honey Plant, Melissa, Cure-all, Dropsy Plant, Bee Balm, Garden Balm.

Latin name:
Melissa officinalis

Lemon Balm. Plant lemon balm in spring about the average date of the last frost. Root departments can be planted at any time throughout the growing season.

Description:

Lemon balm is a seasonal herb, a member of the mint family. It grows 12 to 24 inches high and about as wide. Lemon b. is fast-spreading and shallow-rooted. It has lemon-scented, oval, toothed leaves, opposite arranged on four-sided stems. Lemon b. flowers in summertime; the small white flowers are borne in tight clusters at the leaf axles. Lemon balm is deciduous; it will pass away back to the ground in freezing weather condition, but regrow from the roots in spring.

Yield Grow one lemon balm plant per household.

Site

Plant lemon balm in full; it will tolerate shade. Grow lemon balm in well-drained, sandy loam; Plant will grow in practically any soil. It chooses a soil pH of 6.7 to 7.3.

Planting time

Lemon balm is a hardy seasonal herb that grows best in cool weather. Sow lemon b. in spring about the typical date of the last frost. Seeds can be sluggish to germinate. Plant seed in late summer. Root divisions can be planted at any time throughout the growing season however will end up being established quicker in cool weather condition. Cuttings from new development can be begun in damp sand.

Planting and spacing

Sow lemon balm seed 1 inch deep. To keep lemon b. from spreading, set it in the garden in a container that will keep the roots in location. Remove unwanted plants before they end up being developed.

Water and feeding

Plant requires routine, even watering. It grows best in a little damp soil. Lemon balm does not require extra feeding; side dress plants with aged garden compost during the growing season.

Companion plants Broccoli, cauliflower, and other cabbage family plants.

Care

Cut back plants in fall leaving simply 2 inches of stem. The plant might freeze back to the ground in winter season however will re-grow from underground roots and re-new itself in spring.

Container growing

Lemon balm can be container grown as a yearly. Over-winter lemon balm in a secured area such as an unheated garage or patio.

Insects

Lemon balm has no major bug problems.

Illness

Lemon b. is vulnerable to verticillium wilt and mint rust. Avoid these illness by getting rid of dead stems and leaves from the garden in winter season. Keep plants thinned to promote air blood circulation.

Harvest

Pinch off and utilize leaves and sprigs as required. Leaves for drying are best collected before the plant flowers in summertime, usually about the time lower leaves begin to yellow. At midseason or in fall, cut back the entire plant and dry the leaves for later usage. The plant will regrow in 4 weeks or two in warm weather condition.

Ranges‘ Aurea’ is a variegated variety.

Maintaining and keeping

Leaves can be removed from stems and dried in a warm dubious place. Dried leaves can be saved in an airtight container.