Growing lemon balm

Lemon balm, also known as Melissa officinalis, is native to Southern Europe. It is a perennial that is part of the mint family. It’s cultivated mostly in the United States, as it is a great addition to gardens for its appeal to bees, along with the fact that it is considered both a culinary and medicinal herb. It is a wild plant that likes full sun and rich, moist soil. The herb can be used for culinary purposes in salads/salad dressings, sauces, soups, and more. It is commonly used to make teas, tinctures, and infused oils. Lemon balm grows fairly easily and requires little maintenance. While it prefers rich, well-drained soil it can grow in many different kinds of soils and even survive drought. It can grow in part shade or full sun but prefers full sun. It can grow in either hot or cold temperatures, sustaining itself up to -20°F. It is easily propagated and responds well to cutting as it grows back quickly and, in many cases, thicker than before.

Lemon balm cultivates most growth if planted in early spring. Since it requires light to germinate, it is important to only lightly place the seed in soil; at most, place the seeds ¼” into the soil. Lemon balm prefers soil that is rich and well drained, with a pH of 6.7 to 7.3. Space seeds at least 4-6” away from one another to ensure that they have ample room to grow. For lemon balm, germination occurs within 7-14 days. Lemon balm requires full sun but also enjoys partial shade as it grows best in cooler temperatures that are not too humid nor too cold. If you notice flowers forming on your lemon balm, pluck them off as these flowers can alter the taste of the plant and potency of the leaves. If allowed to bloom, the flavor of the leaves will likely go from sweet to very bitter. Lemon balm can grow to be 2 to 3 feet tall and requires regular and consistent watering.

While it will grow in most soils, lemon balm prefers rich loamy soil. Lemon balm does not fare well over-saturated soil, however. Soil that is too wet can cause root rot and mildew for the plant; these ailments will cause its growth to be stunted or completely stopped. Lemon balm also prefers a soil pH of 6.7 to 7.3. If you are planting it in a pot, make sure to choose a pot that has multiple draining holes in it to ensure that it is able to drain properly. If not drained properly, the soil will retain too much moisture than can cause diseases such as powdery mildew. If your soil is too wet, consider adding some sand to it or switching your current soil with a drier soil variety. Lemon balm even prefers slightly sandier oils, as it helps ensure that the plant does not receive more water than what it needs by soaking some of it up. Lemon balm may be treated with a light liquid fertilizer ever now and then, but typically does not require it.