Lemon Balm Plant Care

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Melissa genus. Lemon Balm is native to south-central Europe, the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and Iran, is. Lemon Balm is also known as Sweet Melissa, Bee Balm, Blue Balm.

Lemon Balm displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 2.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Lemon Balm produces small, fragrant white or pink flowers in terminal spikes.

Leaf size: approximately 2.5 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Lemon Balm every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Lemon Balm thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Melissa officinalis tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Lemon Balm prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, loamy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Good drainage is essential for Lemon Balm to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Lemon Balm every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to partial shade and well-draining, loamy soil with added organic matter for nutrients. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Lemon Balm is suited to USDA Zone 4a – 9b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Lemon Balm can spread to about 2 ft (0.6 m) and reach about 3 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 2 ft (0.6 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Lemon Balm while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Lemon Balm is hardy down to USDA zone 4a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Lemon Balm can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Lemon Balm is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Lemon Balm grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Lemon Balm is native to south-central Europe, the Mediterranean, Central Asia, and Iran, is.