This easy-to-grow herb lends a citrus-like flavor to marinades, teas, and garnishes.
Native to southern Europe, lemon balm has become a garden staple in much of the United States.
Dried leaves are mixed into potpourri.
Credit: Andy Lyons
This fast-growing perennial herb also makes a great addition to most gardens because itattracts pollinators.
In summer, small white blossoms appear in clusters at the stem tips.
While not showy, these flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.
Credit: Andy Lyons
The herb garden is not the only place for lemon balm.
Consider planting it near walkways to brush against its quilted green leaves and enjoy their pleasing scent.
As a member of the mint family,lemon balmis an aggressive grower.
Unlike mint, however, spreading mostly occurs via seed dispersion and only partly via rhizomes.
The self-seeding is easily controlled by deadheading the plant promptly after the bloom.
Sow the seeds 14 inch deep and keep them evenly moist.
Germination takes 5 to 10 days.
Harden them off before transplanting them in the garden after the last spring frost.
Space plants 8 inches apart.
Light
For the most prolific blooms and highest oil content, plant lemon balm infull sun.
In southern climates with hot summers, the plant fares better in part shade.
However, too much shade causes the plant to become leggy.
Once established, the plants are drought-tolerant but appreciate supplemental watering during the summer heat.
Soggy soil, on the other hand, encourages root rot.
Temperature and Humidity
The plant is very winter-hardy and survives winters as low as in Zone 3.
In exposed locations in colder climates, it benefits from a layer of mulch during the winter.
High humidity does not impact the plant.
Pruning
Lemon balm tends to spread somewhat aggressively and often self-seeds.
To prevent this,deadhead after flowering.
Use a pot with large drainage holes and fill it with well-draining potting mix.
Remember that potted plants need more frequent watering than plants in garden soil.
Bury the pot in the ground or place it in a larger pot to create an insulation silo.
Instead of replanting it to a larger pot, you’re able to also divide the plant.
Pests and Problems
Lemon balm is rarely bothered by serious pest or disease issues.
You might findaphidsandspider miteson the plant.
Wash them off with a strong spray from the hose before they become an infestation.
The plant is deer-resistant.
Alternatively,divide a mature plantin the spring as the new growth starts.
Dig up the entire clump and divide it into smaller sections with a spade.
Every section should have a good amount of roots and new sprouts on it.
Replant the sections in new locations at the same depth as the original plant.
Water them immediately and keep them well-watered until they are established.
Harvesting Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is ready about 70 days after starting it from seed.
Harvest the leaves when they are young and tender.
Once the tiny white flowers appear, stop harvesting, as the leaves will become unpleasantly bitter.
Cut the stems with the leaves early in the morning after the dew has dried.
Once the leaves are crisp, separate them from the stems.
Store the leaves in an airtight container.
Freeze lemon balm leaves in ice cubes to make colorful garnishes for lemonade.
‘All Gold’
Also known as Gold Leaf, this cultivar has striking golden foliage.
The leaves are especially vibrant in spring and early summer and hold their color through the growing season.
The foliage is lighter than in the species.
For cooking, the best parsley to grow is flat-leaf Italian parsley.
Sage
Sageis a multipurpose powerhouse with attractive foliage and pretty blooms in summer.
Sage needs at least six hours of sunlight each day to have the best flavor.
Zone 4-10
Dill
Dillserves both humans and pollinators alike.
Gardenerssnip fresh dillfor cooking while black swallowtail caterpillars feed on the feathery leaves.
Dill is usually grown as an annual.
Yes, it should be cut back immediately after the bloom to prevent it from setting seed and self-seeding.
This will encourage a second growth flush in midsummer.
