Spring planting doesn’t start when the air feels warm, It...Read More
Lemon Balm is an upright, bushy, herbaceous perennial that grows to be up to 30 inches tall and 2 feet wide. The leaves are light green, arrowhead shaped, somewhat hairy and coarse in texture. There is nothing like the lemony-citrus aroma of Lemon Balm while in the garden. Lemon Balm is great at repelling unwanted insects from harming other plants nearby and deters animals while attracting beneficial pollinators such as bees and butterflies. Lemon Balm is valued in the culinary arts, cosmetics and herbal medicine. Fresh sprigs are used to give a sweet lemon flavor for tea or drink infusions and as garnishes on salads and main dishes. Use along side other common herbal teas like German Chamomile for delicious homemade tea blends. Lemon Balm dates back over 2,000 years for use as a useful herb to help relieve stress, anxiety, insomnia and indigestion.
Unlike mint, Lemon Balm does not spread very far through underground rhizomes but instead, reproduces and spreads by shedding seed onto the ground at the end of flowering, typically in a clumping manner. You can also easily propagate this plant from cuttings to grow elsewhere. This plant will tolerate growing in large pots for patio or porch gardens. This seed can be used for growing microgreens.
NAME: Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
DAYS TO MATURITY: 60 – 70 days
POLLINATION: Open Pollinated
TYPE: Perennial
HARDINESS ZONE: Zones 3 – 9
SUNLIGHT: Full Sun / Partial Shade
SOIL: Well-draining soil with a pH 6.6 – 7.1
PLANT HEIGHT: 20 – 30 inches
SPACING: 18-24 inches apart
These seeds do not required stratification.
To learn more about Stratification, click here!
Sow lemon balm seeds inside 6 to 8 weeks before the average last frost date for your area.
Sow them into medium sized pots or larger cell trays. Use a seedling soil mix that is loose and fluffy. Maintain a temperature of around 65-70°F (18-21°C) for germination. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Lemon Balm seeds usually germinate within 7-14 days.
Once the seedlings emerge, give them as much natural sunlight as possible or put them under grow lights.
Once they’re 4 inches tall they are ready to be transplanted outdoors after all threat of frost has passed.
Before sowing seed, make sure your soil bed or pots are free from any large debris, rocks, or weeds. The soil should be fertile and not compacted, adding compost, and working it into the top couple inches of soil can aid in germination and plant growth.
Your planting location should receive medium sunlight or light shade, full sunlight can burn the leaves or make them less flavorful.
Lemon Balm needs sunlight to germinate; start by sowing seeds on the surface of the soil and cover with a light dusting of soil, one-tenth inch maximum.
Although the seeds are extremely small, attempt to seed one seed every half inch when planting. Water gently to settle the seeds into place. Keep the soil consistently moist until germination, which typically occurs within 14-21 days.
Once the seedlings emerge, let them grow 1 to 2 inches tall before you thin them out; ideally, one seedling every 6 inches, to start, and then as they get to be mature one plant every 18 inches.
Keep the soil moist but not wet or overly saturated during the germination process.
Cutting back Lemon Balm 6 inches from the base will stimulate it to grow new, fresh growth.
Lemon Balm prefers rich, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH.
Pinch back the growing tips of Lemon Balm plants to encourage bushier growth and prevent legginess.
Fertilize Lemon Balm plants with a balanced fertilizer every 4-6 weeks during the growing season.
Divide overcrowded Lemon Balm plants every 2-3 years to maintain vigor and prevent them from becoming invasive.
Lemon Balm can be harvested as soon as day 40 after germination, but fully matures around day 70.
Harvest Lemon Balm leaves as needed once the plants have become established.
Use scissors or pruners to snip off individual leaves or stems as desired.
For drying, harvest Lemon Balm leaves in the morning after the dew has evaporated but before the sun is too strong.
Store harvested Lemon Balm leaves in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight.
