Lemon Balm

Botanical Name	Melissa officinalis
Family	Lamiaceae (Mint)
Type	Perennial
Native Range	Mediterranean, Southern Europe
USDA Zones	4–9
Height / Spread	1–2 feet / 1–2 feet
Sunlight	Full sun to partial shade
Soil	Well-drained, rich in organic matter, pH 6.5–7.0
Water	Moderate (1 inch weekly)

Overview

Lemon balm is the suburban gardener’s best friend – a forgiving perennial that practically grows itself while filling your tea cabinet for pennies on the dollar. This Mediterranean native has been calming nerves and soothing stomachs for over 2,000 years, and now it’s ready to work its gentle magic in your backyard.

If you’re tired of spending $7 on a box of calming tea at the store, lemon balm is your answer. One small patch can supply enough leaves for daily teas, tinctures, and salves year-round. It’s hardy enough to survive zone 4 winters, spreads just enough to feel generous (but not invasive like its mint cousins), and the bees absolutely love it.

Where & How to Plant

Lemon balm isn’t picky. Give it morning sun with afternoon shade – especially in hot climates where harsh sun can dull the flavor. Pick a spot with decent drainage (soggy roots spell trouble) and mix in a few inches of compost before planting.

In containers: Use a pot at least 8–10 inches wide with drainage holes. One plant per pot – they bush out quickly. Quality potting mix with some compost mixed in works perfectly.

In raised beds: Space plants 18 inches apart. They’ll fill in fast, so don’t crowd them. Raised beds warm up quicker in spring, giving lemon balm a nice head start.

In open ground: Same 18–24 inch spacing. Loosen the soil, add compost, plant, water. Simple as that.

Container growing is smart if you want to control spread. While lemon balm doesn’t send out runners like true mint, it self-seeds enthusiastically. A pot keeps those volunteer seedlings from taking over.

Germination & Propagation

Seeds are tiny and need light to germinate – press them onto the soil surface without burying. Start indoors 6–8 weeks before last frost at about 65°F, or direct sow in late spring after frost danger passes.

Easier still: ask a gardening friend for a division. Lemon balm divides beautifully in spring or fall. You can also root cuttings in water – they’ll sprout roots in about a week.

Sunlight & Watering

Light: Full sun to partial shade. In cooler zones, more sun is fine. In hot climates, afternoon shade prevents wilting and keeps leaves tender. Even 2–3 hours of direct sun works.

Water: Aim for about 1 inch weekly, including rain. Established plants tolerate brief dry spells, but regular water keeps leaves lush. Container plants dry out faster – check daily in summer heat.

Signs of trouble: Yellowing leaves mean too much water. Wilting in the morning (not just afternoon heat) means too little.

Harvest

Start harvesting once plants reach 6–8 inches tall. The best flavor comes in the morning after dew dries but before the day heats up – that’s when volatile oils are strongest.

What to harvest: Leaves and tender stems When: Anytime during growing season, but peak potency is just before flowering How: Cut stems just above a leaf pair with sharp scissors. Never take more than one-third of the plant at once.

Regular harvesting actually helps – it delays flowering and keeps plants bushy. When you see flower buds forming, pinch them off to keep leaves coming. Or let a few bloom late in the season for the bees.

For drying: Bundle small bunches and hang in a dry, dark spot. Leaves are ready when they crumble easily. Strip from stems and store in airtight jars away from light. (See our guide to drying herbs..)

Herbal Actions

Lemon balm is what herbalists call a “nervine” – it nourishes and calms the nervous system. Its gentle actions include:

Calming and mood-lifting (without sedation at normal doses)
Digestive soothing (especially for nervous stomachs)
Mild antiviral (particularly against cold sores)
Sleep-supporting (helps you wind down, not knock out)
Cooling and relaxing to tension

Parts Used

Leaves: Fresh or dried for teas, tinctures, cooking Flowers: Edible, milder flavor, loved by pollinators Stems: Use tender stems along with leaves; woody stems for bath bundles

Fresh leaves have the strongest lemon scent. Dried leaves lose some brightness but still make lovely tea. The whole aerial parts (everything above ground) can be used, though leaves are most potent.

Common Preparations

Tea (Infusion) (See our guide to hot infusions.)

2–3 teaspoons dried leaves (or 5–6 fresh) per cup
Steep covered 10–15 minutes
Drink up to 3 times daily

Tincture (See our guide to tinctures.)

Fresh plant tincture (1:2 ratio) or dried (1:5)
Dose: 30–40 drops up to 3 times daily
Preserves well for a year or more

Salve (See our guide to salves and balms.)

Infuse dried leaves in olive oil 2–4 weeks (See our guide to infused oils.)
Mix with melted beeswax (1 oz wax per cup oil)
Excellent for cold sores, bug bites

Infused Honey

Fill jar with fresh leaves, cover with honey
Let infuse 4–6 weeks
Spoonful in tea or straight for sore throats

Simple Syrup (See our guide to syrups.)

Simmer leaves with equal parts sugar and water
Strain and bottle for drinks and desserts

Companion & Garden Notes

Lemon balm plays well with others. Plant near:

Tomatoes (may improve flavor)
Brassicas (attracts beneficials)
Other partial-shade herbs like parsley and chives

Watch for self-seeding – those little white flowers turn into lots of baby plants. Deadhead regularly if you don’t want volunteers everywhere. Or let it naturalize in a wild corner where it can feed the bees.

Pests rarely bother lemon balm. Occasional aphids can be blasted off with water. In very humid conditions, watch for powdery mildew – improve air circulation if needed.

Safety Notes

Lemon balm is one of the gentler herbs, safe for children and elderly in normal amounts. A few considerations:

Thyroid conditions: May affect thyroid hormone activity. If you have thyroid issues or take thyroid medication, consult your practitioner.

Sedative medications: Can increase effects of prescription sedatives, sleep aids, or anti-anxiety drugs. Check with your healthcare provider if you take these medications.

Pregnancy/nursing: Traditional use suggests safety in culinary amounts and occasional tea. Avoid concentrated extracts without practitioner guidance.

Allergies: Rare, but possible for those allergic to mint family plants.

Start with small amounts to see how you respond. Most people can enjoy lemon balm tea daily without any issues.

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