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Growing Lemon Balm, also Bee balm

(Melissa Officinalis)

Jan Feb Mar Apr May Jun Jul Aug Sep Oct Nov Dec
        P P            

(Best months for planting Lemon Balm in USA - North East regions)

P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.


May: Protect seeds from late frosts

  • Easy to grow. Sow in garden. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 50°F and 77°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 10 inches apart
  • Harvest in 8-10 weeks. Cut back tall stems to prevent flowering.
  • Compatible with: Good to attract bees
  • Lemon Balm

Lemon balm will grow from seed or cuttings. It self seeds readily and can become a nuisance if not checked.

Leaf shape is somewhat like mint and it likes to spread in the same way.

Pleasant lemon scent, released when a leaf is crushed.

Will grow in sun or part-shade. Lemon balm is shallow rooted so needs some water in hot dry weather. Does not like constant wet soil though. Attracts bees.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Lemon Balm

As a herb tea or added to fruit punch.
Can be used to replace lemon, used sparingly, in desserts and with stewed fruit.
Chop leaves into salad.

Better used fresh than dried.


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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - arid,   Australia - cool/mountain,   Australia - sub-tropical,   Australia - temperate,   Australia - tropical,   New Zealand - cool/mountain,   New Zealand - sub-tropical,   New Zealand - temperate,   South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical,   South Africa - Humid sub-tropical,   South Africa - Semi-arid,   South Africa - Summer rainfall,   United Kingdom - cool/temperate,   United Kingdom - warm/temperate,   USA - Central West Coast,   USA - Maritime Northwest,   USA - Mid-Atlantic,   USA - North East,   USA - South East and Gulf States,   USA - South West,   USA - Upper Midwest  

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.

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