Bastard Balm Plant Care
Melittis melissophyllum L.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Melittis melissophyllum is a species of flowering plant in the mint family, Lamiaceae. Its common name is bastard balm.
Every 7–10 days
Partial shade to full sun
50–80°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Bastard Balm?
Water Bastard Balm every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it partial shade to full sun. It prefers temperatures of 50–80°F (10–27°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 6 months during the growing season.
What Is the Bastard Balm?
Bastard Balm (Melittis melissophyllum) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Melittis genus. Bastard Balm is also known as Mountain Balm, Honeywort, Springflower.
Bastard Balm displays a clumping herbaceous perennial growth habit, reaching up to 1.5 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1.5 ft. Bastard Balm produces showy pink or white flowers in whorls.
Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Bastard Balm?
Melittis melissophyllum requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Bastard Balm Need?
Bastard Balm thrives in partial shade to full sun.
Light Requirement
Partial shade to full sun
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Bastard Balm Prefer?
Melittis melissophyllum grows best at temperatures of 50–80°F. Bastard Balm prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
50–80°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Bastard Balm?
Well-draining, fertile soil with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Bastard Balm to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Bastard Balm?
Feed Bastard Balm every 6 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 6 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Bastard Balm?
Repot every 2-3 years in early spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Bastard Balm?
Bastard Balm can be propagated through seeds, division of rootball.
Is the Bastard Balm Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Bastard Balm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Bastard Balm?
Bastard Balm is susceptible to aphids, spider mites. 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.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Bastard Balm Need?
Bastard Balm grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. In cooler regions, grow Bastard Balm as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 12a
Keep exploring plants
Bastard Balm is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Melittis genus — compare its care with other Melittis species on PlantoScan.
Melittis is part of the Lamiaceae plant family — browse all Lamiaceae genera and species.
Bastard Balm thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Melittis melissophyllum L., family Lamiaceae (first published in Sp. Pl. : 597 (1753)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Bastard Balm, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 12a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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