Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is an herbaceous perennial famous for its essential oils and mild scent. Its oils and extracts are widely used in perfume and beauty products, as well as household cleaning products. Lemon balm can be cultivated as an ornamental plant that also attracts honeybees. It has been grown and cultivated by humans since at least the 16th century.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family and native to south-central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, Iran, and Central Asia, but now naturalized elsewhere.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herbaceous plant in the mint family Lamiaceae, and native to south-central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, Iran, and Central Asia, but now naturalized in the Americas and elsewhere. The second name, officinalis (Latin, ‘of the shop’), originates from the use of the herb by apothecaries, who sold herbal remedies directly to their customers.
Lemon balm plants grow bushy and upright to a maximum height of 100 cm (39 in). The heart-shaped leaves are 2–8 centimeters (0.79–3.15 in) long, and have a rough, veined surface. They are soft and hairy with scalloped edges, and have a mild lemon scent. During summer, small white or pale pink flowers appear. The plants live for ten years; the crop plant is replaced after five years to allow the ground to rejuvenate.
Lemon balm seeds require light and a minimum temperature of 20 °C (68 °F) to germinate. The plant grows in clumps and spreads vegetatively (a new plant can grow from a fragment of the parent plant), as well as by seed. In mild temperate zones, the plant stems die off at the start of the winter, but shoot up again in spring. Lemon balm grows vigorously.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
In both indoor and outdoor environments, lemon balm loves a sunny spot. However, unlike an outdoor lemon balm plant—which can tolerate a bit of shade—those planted indoors need ample sunlight, at least five to six hours a day. Place your herb containers near a windowsill that gets ample light throughout the day. If you notice your plant getting a lot of harsh direct rays or turning brown on its leaves, rotate it periodically to avoid burning.
Temperature and Humidity
When it comes to its indoor environment, the lemon balm plant is not particularly picky. In general, it’s best to keep your herb away from any drafty air that is too cold or too hot, such as in front of an air conditioner or next to a radiator. Additionally, lemon balm does not need a humid environment to thrive, so you won’t have to worry about increasing the moisture levels in the air with a humidifier.
Watering
When it comes to watering your lemon balm plant, always err on the side of under-watering, rather than over-watering. The reason: Like many herbs, lemon balm plants can recover easily from wilt (created by thirst) but will quickly die or bolt if watered too much. Your exact watering schedule will depend on the environment in your home and the plant’s sun exposure levels, but a good general rule of thumb is to water in small quantities (do not saturate) as soon as the first inch or so of soil in the pot has dried up.
Soil
Lemon balm plants prefer a slightly sandy, well-drained soil. Most basic potting soils will work just fine, but if you find your mixture is a bit dense or stays too moist between watering, combine it with sand or a drier soil varietal like a cactus mix. Additionally, the pH of your soil should be neutral to acidic, with a specific level between 6.7 to 7.3 providing the best environment.
When selecting a container to house your lemon balm plant in, choose a pot with ample drainage holes to minimize the risk of the herb becoming waterlogged or the roots rotting. One made of clay or terracotta can also be helpful, as the porous material will help to wick any added moisture from the soil.
Fertilizing
While lemon balm does not require additional feeding beyond what nutrition its soil provides, you can treat it with a light liquid fertilizer every few weeks to encourage growth. Keep in mind, fertilizing some herbs has been known to decrease the potency of their scent and/or flavor—if you’re growing lemon balm specifically for cooking, you can likely skip fertilizing it and still be just fine.
Propagation
Lemon balm is a cinch to grow, and can be propagated in a variety of ways.
- From Seed
Direct sow seed in early spring by broadcasting seeds on the soil surface or cover only lightly with soil, as this plant needs light to germinate.
Add compost if you wish, though this herb does not require any special soil conditions.
Seeds should sprout in five to nine days with soil temperatures ranging from 65 to 70°F.
You can also choose to start seedlings in flats indoors or in a greenhouse in early spring. Sprinkle seeds in trays on top of potting soil, and keep them moist until they sprout.
- From Cuttings
Cuttings can be taken in the spring or fall. To propagate from cuttings, simply cut a few inches from the soft tips of an established plant.
In the spring, cuttings should be taken a few inches below the tips of new growth. In the fall, they should instead come from stems that are closer to the base of the crown that have not flowered.
Remove two thirds of the leaves from the base of each stem, and pinch off the tips to prevent wilting.
Next, dip the stems in rooting hormone or honey, and place in a sterile planting mix combined with equal parts coarse sand to help retain moisture.
Water cuttings immediately and keeps them out of direct sunlight.
The plants should root in about three to four weeks. You can also speed up the rooting process by placing pots over a heating pad set to 70 to 75°F.
It is a good idea to harden off cuttings in a bright and windy area for about a week before replanting outdoors.
- From Seedlings/Transplanting
Harden off seedlings planted in trays and started indoors by bringing them outside for a few hours each day. Move them outside about four weeks before the last frost date.
They can be planted as soon as the soil is ready to be worked in spring. Space plants 1 to 2 feet apart and water immediately after transplanting.
- Division
This perennial can also be easily propagated by division.
Just dig up clumps of an established plant when it’s dormant in the early spring or fall, divide into smaller pieces, and replant either in pots or directly in the ground.
Pests and Diseases
Lemon balm is not commonly affected by pests or disease.
In fact, this herb can actually repel some pests from the garden. It contains a chemical compound called citronellal, which is repellent to many bugs, and this is what gives it its delightful lemony scent.
There are just a few pests and diseases to watch out for:
Aphids and Spider Mites
These pesky little bugs have been known to infest plants, especially when grown indoors or in a greenhouse.
Washing plants off with a hard stream from a hose or in the sink can help to remove any pests. An insecticidal soap may be used if pests are present in large numbers.
Powdery Mildew
This common fungal disease can leave a whitish powdery look on the leaves. This is generally more of an issue in hot and humid climates with cool nights.
Septoria Leaf Spot
This fungus can cause dark brown or black spots on leaves, and is prevalent in warm temperatures with high humidity. Remove and dispose of infected leaves when they appear.
If the infection becomes serious, try spritzing off plants with a spray of one gallon of water, one tablespoon of baking soda, half a teaspoon of dish soap, and one tablespoon of horticultural oil.
Both of these diseases can be prevented by providing good air circulation with regular harvesting or pruning.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Historical uses
The use of lemon balm can be dated to over 2000 years ago through the Greeks and the Romans. It is mentioned by the Greek polymath Theophrastus in his Historia Plantarum, written in c.300 BC, as “bee-leaf” (μελισσόφυλλο). Lemon balm was formally introduced into Europe in the 7th century, from which its use and domestication spread. Its use in the Middle Ages is noted by herbalists, writers, philosophers, and scientists.
Lemon balm was a favorite plant of the Tudors, who scattered the leaves across their floors. It was in the herbal garden of the English botanist John Gerard in the 1590s, who considered it especially good for feeding and attracting honey bees. Especially cultivated for honey production, according to the authors Janet Dampney and Elizabeth Pomeroy, “bees were thought never to leave a garden in which it was grown”. It was introduced to North America by the first colonists from Europe; it was cultivated in the Gardens of Monticello, designed by the American statesman Thomas Jefferson.
The English botanist Nicholas Culpeper considered lemon balm to be ruled by the planet Jupiter in Cancer, and suggested it to be used for “weak stomachs”, to cause the heart to become “merry”, to help digestion, to open “obstructions of the brain”, and to expel “melancholy vapors” from the heart and arteries.
In traditional Austrian medicine, M. officinalis leaves have been prescribed as a herbal tea, or as an external application in the form of an essential oil.
- Ornamental uses
Lemon balm is an unusual garden plant that is grown mainly for its aromatic leaves. This is a fast-growing plant that loves to spread, so it’s a good idea to confine it to a container. However, it also makes a great addition to beds and borders, and cottage or informal gardens. Grow lemon balm with pest-repelling partners such as asters, sunflowers, lavender, or marigolds.
- Other uses
Lemon balm is the main ingredient of carmelite water, which is sold in German pharmacies.
The plant is grown and sold as an ornamental plant, and for attracting bees. The essential oil is used as a perfume ingredient. It is used in toothpaste.
Lemon balm is used as a flavoring in ice cream and herbal teas, often in combination with other herbs such as spearmint. The leaves are not dried when used for tea. It is a common addition to peppermint tea, mostly because of its complementing flavor. Lemon balm is also used with fruit dishes or candies. It can be used in fish dishes and is the main ingredient in lemon balm pesto.
IV. Harvesting and Storage
Harvesting
Lemon balm can be harvested regularly throughout the season, though the leaves are the most flavorful when they are young and fresh.
You can harvest individual leaves or sprigs as needed throughout the season by cutting several inches of new growth and removing the leaves from the stems. Keep leaves on stems for easy drying.
Alternatively, harvest large amounts at once by cutting back the entire plant to almost ground level. This can be done a few times throughout the season.
However you choose to harvest, this herb will provide an abundance! Since it grows so readily, it is a pretty difficult plant to over harvest.
Storage
This herb is definitely at its prime when it’s fresh.
It tends to lose some of its flavor over time, though I have found that with proper preservation techniques, it is possible to enjoy lemon balm throughout the year.
It can be dried on trays or by hanging it in bunches in a dark place with good air circulation. You can also put your harvest in a dehydrator for 12 to 18 hours on a low setting.
The key is to dry it quickly, otherwise excess moisture on the leaves will cause it to turn brown and lose flavor.
If you are planning to dry this herb, it is a good idea to harvest on a dry day so the leaves are less moist to begin with.
Once dried, strip the leaves from the stems and store in an airtight glass container with a lid in a dark, dry location such as a cupboard.
Lemon balm can also be frozen. Chop fresh leaves, mix them with cooking oil or water, and freeze in ice cube trays for later use.
Find Where to Buy the Best Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
[content-egg-block template=offers_logo_shipping cols_order=3,2,1,5,4 hide=badge visible=number border_color=info limit=8]