Lemon Balm Mint Bush Plant Care

Lemon Balm Mint Bush (Prostanthera melissifolia) belongs to the Lamiaceae family within the Prostanthera genus. Lemon Balm Mint Bush is native to south-eastern Australia. Lemon Balm Mint Bush is also known as Lemon Balm Bush.

Lemon Balm Mint Bush displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 3 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Lemon Balm Mint Bush produces small, tubular flowers in shades of purple, pink, or white.

Leaf size: approximately 2 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Lemon Balm Mint Bush every 7–14 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 Mint Bush thrives in full sun to partial shade.

Prostanthera melissifolia tolerates temperatures of 50–80°F. Lemon Balm Mint Bush prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Good drainage is essential for Lemon Balm Mint Bush to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Lemon Balm Mint Bush 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, slightly acidic soil with added organic matter like compost or peat moss. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Lemon Balm Mint Bush is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

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 Mint Bush 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 Mint Bush 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 Mint Bush is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Lemon Balm Mint Bush can be propagated through softwood cuttings, semi-hardwood cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to mint bush plant care, which shares the same genus.

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

Lemon Balm Mint Bush 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 Mint Bush grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Lemon Balm Mint Bush is native to south-eastern Australia. In cooler regions, grow Lemon Balm Mint Bush as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.