How to grow Lemon Balm?
- Latin Family: Lamiaceae
- Latin Genus: Melissa
- Ease of Growing: Easy
- Growing Type: Perennial
Common for members in the Mint family, Lemon Balm is an aromatic, sweet perennial herb grown for its fragrant leaves and commercially for its oil. The plant has medicinal properties, but is also useful when making liquor or seasoning food.
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Lemon Balm History
Lemon balm is native to the Mediterranean and the Southern Europe region, and it's use dates back to more than 2,000 years ago. In the past it has been used to prepare a tea that was believed to extend age.
Soil Preference
- PH (min/max): 5.5 - 9.0
- PH Ideal (min/max): 6.0 - 7.5
Lemon balm prefers fertile, well-drained soil.
How to care for Lemon Balm?
As a member of the Mint family, the most important thing you must do is make sure it doesn't take over. This plant self-sows itself through vigorous seed production and dispersal; to avoid this, remove the flowers.
Water
Requires constantly moist soil, make sure it never dries out. Keep Lemon Balm well watered but be sure not to overwater to the point that soil is soggy. Lemon Balm will survive periods of drought, but won't taste as well.
Fertilizer
Lemon Balm is such a vigorous grower that it does not need much fertilization. Some compost before planting will help it get established, and a feed of calcium every 3 - 4 years can be beneficial.
Seeds
Seed Viability: 2 - 4 years
Germination Percentage: 75.0
Lemon balm flowers are perfect (have both male and female parts) are are readily pollinated by bees. Gather the dried up flowers heads and crush them to free the seed. It produces seed easily and often self sows.
Light
Part shade
In dry climates, Lemon Balm will benefit from shade.
Conditions:Cool, Warm, Hot
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Sun: min. 6 hours daily
Lemon Balm prefers full sun, but is mildly shade-tolerant.
Conditions:Cool, Warm, Hot
Season:Short Season, Long Season
Storage
Dried herbs are best if cut before flowering and used 2 days after being cut, at most. After harvesting, remove dead or damaged leaves. Dry in an oven (140-200˚ F), in a dehydrator, or in a dark, warm place in your home.
Once dry, remove stems. Put dried leaves in an airtight container in a dark, cool place.
Storage Req: Drying
Storage Temp: 60-75°F
Storage Length: 1-360 days
There are two ways to freeze lemon balm:
Whole Plant: Remove imperfect or blemished leaves; wash and pat dry remaining leaves. Place on a cookie sheet and put in the freezer until completely frozen. Remove from cookie sheet, place in an airtight container, and return to the freezer.
Ice Cubes: Chop the whole plant and place in an ice cube tray. Cover with water and place in the freezer. Pop out cubes and place in airtight container, or leave them in the tray until you need them again.
Storage Req: Freezer
Storage Temp: 32°F
Storage Length: 1-180 days
Problems
Invasive
Like other members of the Mint family, Lemon Balm can get invasive in the garden if left to its own devices. It will self-sow freely, so remove flowers if you do not want volunteer plants.
Lemon Balm Types
- Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is valued as a culinary, cosmetic and medicinal herb. Lemon Balm has many medicinal uses, such as: calming nerves, reducing stress and anxiety, promoting sleep, improving appetite, and easing pain and discomfort from indigestion.
Pests
- Spider Mites
- Thrips
- Aphids
- Whiteflies
Diseases
- Septoria Leaf Spot
- Powdery Mildew
