Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa)

Wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) is a wildflower related to mint. It is also known as bee balm and indeed attracts a great many bees (hummingbirds like it as well). Wild bergamot is sometimes used to make strong-flavored tea. One variant is cultivated specifically for its lemony-scented essential oil.

I. Appearance and Characteristics 

Monarda fistulosa, the wild bergamot or bee balm, is a wildflower in the mint family Lamiaceae, widespread and abundant as a native plant in much of North America. This plant, with showy summer-blooming pink to lavender flowers, is often used as a honey plant, medicinal plant, and garden ornamental. The species is quite variable, and several subspecies or varieties have been recognized within it.

Monarda fistulosa is an herbaceous perennial that grows from slender creeping rhizomes, thus commonly occurring in large clumps. The plants are typically up to 3 ft (0.91 m) tall, with a few erect branches. Its leaves are 2–3 in (5.1–7.6 cm) long, lance-shaped, and toothed. Its compact flower clusters are solitary at the ends of branches. Each cluster is about 1.5 in (3.8 cm) long, containing about 20–50 flowers. Wild bergamot often grows in rich soils in dry fields, thickets, and clearings, usually on limy soil. The plants generally flower from June to September.

Monarda fistulosa ranges from Quebec to the Northwest Territories and British Columbia, south to Georgia, Texas, Arizona, Idaho, and northeastern Washington. The Latin specific epithet fistulosa means hollow like a pipe.

The plant is noted for its fragrance, though the composition of its oils is quite variable. It can have thymol, geraniol, carvacrol, p-cymene, γ-terpinene, α-terpinene, and α-thujene in different amounts with the exact cause of this variability still being researched, though environmental and genetic factors probably both play a role. At least one population in Colorado also contains linalol.

II. How to Grow and Care

Sunlight

Wild bergamot are long-day plants that prefer sufficient sunlight. It is advisable to plant them in a sunny spot. They can also grow in a partially shaded environment. For growth, wild bergamot require sufficient sunlight. They will bloom more if they receive more than 14 hours of daylight per day. In midsummer, however, wild bergamot need proper shade. Adequate sunlight is conducive to the accumulation of organic matter in the plant. If there is insufficient light, the photosynthetic rate of the plant will decrease. Problems such as weak stems, yellow leaves, and reduced flowering can occur.

Temperature 

Wild bergamot are native to North America, prefer warm and cool environments, and can adapt well. Wild bergamot are cold-resistant and can withstand a minimum temperature of -28 ℃. Therefore wild bergamot generally do not suffer from poor health due to low temperatures. During the winter in colder regions, the above-ground parts may wither but will regrow in the following spring.

Wild bergamot don’t thrive well in drought and prefer moist soil. It is advisable to provide sufficient water during the growth period to keep the soil moist. Attention should be paid to avoid standing water.

Watering

Wild bergamot prefer a moist soil environment. Ensure an adequate water supply during the main growing period. Soil moisture can be determined by placing your finger into the soil. If the soil feels dry, it should be watered immediately. It is best to water plants in the early morning, and this should be done twice a week in the summer. Pay attention to prevent water accumulation during periods of wet weather. Reduce watering during the winter, and water wild bergamot once a week.

It is preferable to water wild bergamot with rainwater or distilled water. Tap water may contain high quantities of calcium, magnesium, or other mineral salts. The long-term use of tap water may cause soil salinization and hardening. Water plants near the roots rather than on the leaves.

In order to water wild bergamot thoroughly, it is advisable to use a hose pipe to water each area of the garden for 30 seconds. A shortage of water may cause leaves to wither and shrink.To prevent this, plants should be watered regularly. However, excessive watering will cause the leaves to droop. If this happens, the amount of watering should be reduced.

Soil

Wild bergamot can adapt to a variety of soils. The most suitable soil is slightly acid or neutral organic loam with good ventilation, permeability, and water retention. It is advisable to add sufficient nitrogen to the soil to promote the growth of stems and leaves. Additionally, adding sufficient phosphorus and potassium can promote blooming. Low-salt and loose humus soil (containing 15% to 30% clay and 0% to 20% sand and gravel) can be used as cultivated soil. When grown in a pot, wild bergamot need to be re-potted once a year and provided with an appropriate amount of base fertilizer.

Fertilizing

It is recommended to apply fertilizer using the principle of little but often. Before wild bergamot bloom, in the late spring, fertilization should mainly include phosphate and potassium fertilizers, which are beneficial for promoting blooming. After that, fertilization should mainly include nitrogen fertilizer, which is beneficial for the growth of stems and leaves.

In hot summers, wild bergamot enter a rapid growth period with rapid evapotranspiration of water. Concentrated liquid fertilizer should be added frequently but in small amounts each time. For example, add fertilizer once a week. With low temperatures in the winter, wild bergamot grow slowly or stop growing completely. At this time, fertilization is generally not required. Potted plants can be supplemented with basal fertilizer each year when they are repotted. If wild bergamot lack fertilizers, some problems such as slow growth or leaf yellowing may occur.

Planting Instructions

Wild bergamot can be sown in the spring or the fall. In temperatures of 20 to 25 ℃, wild bergamot will germinate after 2 to 3 weeks. Before sowing, exposing the soil to sunlight will kill harmful microorganisms in the soil. If you are worried about uneven sowing, it is advisable to mix the seeds with some fine soil before sowing and then spread them in a flower pot or a sunny part of the garden. Keep the plants spaced about 46 to 61 cm apart and water thoroughly after sowing.

You can also use division to propagate new plants, which should be done in the spring or the autumn. Many small new seedlings will sprout around the old plant. Dig up the new plants and separate their roots before planting them elsewhere. Alternatively, divide the tufted plant into 3 to 5 branches and plant them directly. For potted plants, small varieties should be selected. It is best to change the pots once a year, usually in the spring or the fall.

Pruning

Wild bergamot need to be pruned in spring and have the buds pinched out at the seedling stage. This tip can help to control their height and promote branching. To adjust the height of wild bergamot, pruning once in late spring or early summer is also advised. This is conducive to forming wild bergamot with a good shape as well as promoting leaf growth and blooming.

After blooming, residual flowers will remain on the branches – these can be cut off. This reduces unnecessary nutrient consumption and is beneficial to later blooming. Branches affected by pests or diseases or that have died should be cut off immediately. In the winter, wild bergamot are dormant so less pruning is required. Just remove any dead branches or leaves.

Propagation

Bee balm can be propagated through division and cuttings. However, division is the easiest propagation method for this plant. This will also help to keep the plant healthy and full and should be done every few years.2 To do this, you will need a shovel, a pair of garden snips, compost or fertilizer, and gloves. Then follow the instructions below, depending on the propagation method you choose.

To propagate by division:

When you see new stems emerging from the ground, it signals a good time for division.

• Using the shovel, dig up the entire root system and gently lift the plant from the ground. 
• Using a sharp knife, divide the clump into multiple sections. Each section should have at least two or three shoots and a good root system.
• If the center of the plant is woody and scraggly, remove it and discard it.  
• Amend the soil with compost or well-balanced fertilizer.
• Replant the pieces immediately where you want new plants to grow, and water well.
• Keep the new plants well-watered for the first year of growth.

To propagate through cuttings:

You will need a pair of snips, rich soil, a small pot, rooting hormone, a plastic bag, and a rubber band. Then follow these instructions:

• In the spring and with sterilized snips, trim a cutting of new growth around 6 inches long. Trim below a node.
• Remove the lower leaves. 
• Dip the cut end into rooting hormone and gently plant it into rich soil. 
• Water the cutting, then place the plastic bag over the cutting to retain moisture. Secure it to the pot with a rubber band. 
• Check the soil regularly, keeping it moist. 
• Roots should appear in two or three weeks. When this happens, remove the plastic bag.

Transplanting 

When transplanting wild bergamot, it’s best to move it during the refreshing embrace of early spring, as this allows for optimal root establishment. Choose a location with well-draining soil and full sun to partial shade. If needed, give the transplanted wild bergamot a little extra care, ensuring its success and your garden’s beauty.

Pests and Diseases

Bee balm can be affected by a variety of minor pests, though infestations are rarely serious—possibly because this member of the mint family has a scent that naturally repels insects. Pests may include spider mites, aphids, and stalk borers. 

By far the biggest problem with bee balm is powdery mildew, a fungal disease that causes a powdery white or gray residue on leaves and buds. An environment with humid nights and coolish days attracts this fungus. If your plants succumb to powdery mildew after you have enjoyed the flowers for a while, trim them back to the ground and properly dispose of the cut growth. Alternatively, if your bee balm plants come down with powdery mildew too early, and cutting the plants down is out of the question, spray them with a commercial or homemade fungicide. Repeated applications, beginning early, will be necessary to fully control the mildew.

To avoid powdery mildew in the first place, keep bee balm spaced at least 2 feet apart from one another for excellent air circulation. Water at the base of the plant rather than spraying overhead to avoid raising the humidity level in the plant’s crown. Plant foliage tends to decline after flowering, especially if powdery mildew sets in.

Bee balm is also susceptible to rust fungus that can disfigure the leaves. Control rust with spray fungicides if the disease is severe.

III. Uses and Benefits 

Wild bergamot is considered a medicinal plant by many Native Americans. The Oneida call it “Number Six”, in honor of it being “the sixth medicine given by the Creator”; other nations that use it include the Menominee, the Ojibwe, and the Winnebago (Ho-Chunk). It is used most commonly to treat colds, and is frequently made into tea. Today, many families still use wild bergamot during the cold and flu season. The tea may be sweetened with honey, as it tends to be quite strong.

The species of Monarda that may go under the common name “bee balm,” including M. fistulosa, have a long history of use as a medicinal plant by Native Americans, including the Blackfoot. The Blackfoot recognized the plant’s strong antiseptic action, and used poultices of the plant for skin infections and minor wounds. A tea made from the plant was also used to treat mouth and throat infections caused by dental caries and gingivitis. Bee balm is the natural source of the antiseptic thymol, the primary active ingredient in modern commercial mouthwash formulas. The Winnebago used a tea made from bee balm as a general stimulant. Bee balm was also used as a carminative herb by Native Americans to treat excessive flatulence. Leaves were eaten boiled with meat and a concoction of the plant was made into hair pomade. The herb is considered an active diaphoretic (sweat inducer).

The essential oil of Monarda fistulosa was analyzed using mass spectrometry and arithmetical retention indices, and was found to contain p-cymene (32.5%), carvacrol (24.0%), thymol (12.6%), an aliphatic aldehyde (6.3%), the methyl ether of carvacrol (5.5%), α-pinene (3.5%), β-pinene (2.9%), sabinene hydrate (1.9%), α-terpinene (1.7%), citronellyl acetate (1.6%), and β-caryophyllene (1.1%).

M. fistulosa distillate has been proposed as an antimicrobial agent in laboratory settings, specifically as an agent in artificial media used for growth of tachinid fly larvae.

IV. Harvesting and Storage

Pruning and harvesting can be performed at the same time. Leaves of wild bergamot can be picked for making tea or cakes in any season. For the best flavor, it is recommended to make tea using young leaves from the top of the plant. Picking these leaves will prevent wild bergamot from growing too high and will also promote the growth of side shoots.