Description Lemon Balm is used to calm nerves, improve sleep, and soothe an upset stomach. Place your herb containers near a windowsill that gets ample light throughout the day. Lemon balm will need significantly more sunlight when planted indoors and can be more susceptible to afflictions like powdery mildew and root rot, not to mention browning leaves, which can indicate issues like cold air or excessive sunlight. When it comes to its indoor environment, the lemon balm plant is not particularly picky. Pro tip: Remember, you can always add more water but … Lemon balm can be grown from seed or cuttings. They come in many fragrance categories like rose, citrus, mint, apple, lemon, orange, and coconut! Be sure to start with young lemon balm plants from Bonnie Plants®, which has been helping home gardeners succeed for over 100 years. To start your plant from seed, begin them in a shallow pot or dish, barely covering the seeds with more than a sprinkle of soil (this should be done about six to eight weeks before the last frost if you want to transplant the herb outdoors). 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. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. How to Grow Lemon Balm. Choose a container of just about any size, but the larger the container, the more lemon balm you’ll get as your original plant grows. Indoor lemon balm care is pretty easy and straightforward, but keep an eye on your plant and watch for signs of bolting. In both indoor and outdoor environments, lemon balm loves a sunny spot. To grow lemon balm in a container, plant seeds or transplants in a pot that is at least eight inches deep and 15 to 18-inches wide. Growing lemon balm is a warm weather activity. Seeds should germinate in 7-14 days if indoor temperatures are around 70°F. After all danger of frost has past, set lemon balm plants 20 to 24 inches apart in rich, well-draining soil where it will receive some shade during the day. You can use artificial light if you don't have a sunny window sill to place them on. While not as popular as other herbs, lemon balm is nevertheless a wonderful herb to have in your garden. Thus, lemon balm plants with water once a week will be happy and, in the case of plants that are directly on the floor, in winter they may even live without constant irrigation. Be sure you acclimate plants to outdoor conditions before putting them in the ground. Tea Rose Begonia If powdery mildew does develop, remove the infected leaves, and treat with a mild fungicide. Melissa officinalis Labiatae Lemon Balm 'Quedlinburger' Temperature Germination: 18-22°C Growth: 18-25°C Light Lemon balm does best with plenty of light. It is thought that the volatile oils in lemon balm contain chemicals that relax muscles in the bladder, stomach, and uterus, thereby relieving cramps, gas and nausea. That’s particularly helpful if you plant lemon balm near cabbage because it attracts insects that typically destroy cabbage family crops. Lemon balm plants prefer a slightly sandy, well-drained soil. Lemon balm has no serious pest issues, but can be susceptible to powdery mildew. Lemon balm can struggle indoors, but with enough attention it should thrive. However, growing herbs like lemon balm in containers inside adds much more than just a cheerful splash of living green. 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. Chives (Allium schoenoprasum), lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and French tarragon (Artemisia dracunculus sativa): These three cold-climate plants tend to decline indoors… unless you give them a cold treatment first. The plant will also grow much faster and healthier if the soil is rich in organic matter. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. Take into consideration the size of the mature plant when deciding on a location in your space. It can help relieve stress. Start Lemon Balm directly outdoors after danger of frost has passed. 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. Place the pot in a location that receives at least 5 hours of direct sunlight a day. Lemon balm as a houseplant is a fabulous idea because this lovely herb offers a beautiful lemony aroma, a tasty addition to foods and drinks, and a pretty potted plant for a sunny window ledge. Lemon balm is related to mint, which is good news for growing it. Containers are perfect for lemon balm growing because, like mint, it will spread rapidly and take over a bed in the garden. Plants will reach two feet in height at maturity, with a spreading nature that can be controlled with proper care. Lemon Balm can also be grown indoors in a sunny window. In recent, it is researched as an excellent houseplant in purifying the indoor air, removing the bacterias and increasing the work efficiencies, creativity, multi tasking and productivity. Lemon balm seeds need ample light in order to germinate and grow. If you notice your plant getting a lot of harsh direct rays or turning brown on its leaves, rotate it periodically to avoid burning. 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How much to plant: Grow 4 lemon balm plants for cooking; grow 6 to 12 plants for tea and preserving. ", The Spruce uses cookies to provide you with a great user experience and for our, How to Grow Donkey's Tail Succulents (Burro's Tail). A whiff of lemon in the winter, and at all times of the year, is a great mood booster. Purchase lemon balm seeds or seedlings. 2 Spade the soil to a depth of at least 8 to 10 inches. Expose the dish to ample light and just enough water to keep them from drying out (its helpful to use a spray bottle instead of a watering can for this stage) and germination should take place in 10–14 days. The germinating seeds need a lot of light, so sprinkle soil over them lightly and provide at least 5 to 6 hours of light a day. Press the seed into the soil, do not cover it and keep it moist. One made of clay or terracotta can also be helpful, as the porous material will help to wick any added moisture from the soil. 2. That is the time you begin with starting the seeds of lemon balm indoors. 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. This lemony flavored herb is … Even if you're seasoned at growing lemon balm outdoors, there are several things you'll need to modify slightly in order to successfully grow it in your home. Indoor lemon balm care is pretty easy and straightforward, but keep an eye on your plant and watch for signs of bolting. 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. A few companion plants for growing lemon balm … Lemon Balm Plant Height. Depending on the type of soil you want to build and amount of sunlight, this spreading perennial herb can reach heights of 1 to 3 feet with an equal spread. Companion planting: Grow lemon balm with broccoli, cauliflower, and other cabbage family plants. Above: Lemon balm grows voraciously; some find it to be … 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. There are some who even contend that it can improve cognit… Lemon balm is a great option for container gardening, and it pairs well with summer annuals such as dill or basil. and motherwort (Leonorus cardiacus) is a classic western formula for a hyperactive thyroid. Seeds are more easily obtained, but if your lemon balm-growing neighbors don't mind sharing, the cuttings will result in a more quickly established plant once placed in the ground. Lemon balm is what's known as a self-seeding plant, meaning outdoors it spreads its seeds to further its growth (hence why some gardeners consider it invasive). Like mint, this herb will grow readily if you give it the right conditions. Be sure th… In an outdoor garden environment, lemon balm is sometimes considered a pest because of its invasiveness, but it’s the perfect container plant. However, most indoor growers won't see their plants set seeds. Potted Lemon Balm Plants are available online at Horizon Herbs; $7.20 each. Check the date of the last frost in your local area and calculate 6 – 8 weeks prior to that. 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. Knowing what this herb needs will allow you to grow it indoors, year round. This can leave a gardener wondering what to do with lemon balm and what is lemon balm used for exactly. To prevent it from developing, plant your lemon balm with ample room separating it from other plants to allow for good air circulation. Jon VanZile is a Master Gardener and the author of "Houseplants for a Healthy Home. Also known as balm mint, English balm, garden balm, heart's delight, honey plant, Melissa and sweet balm, lemon balm has been used medicinally for centuries. Lemon balm has a lot of great companion plants. To cook with your lemon balm, harvest the leaves as soon as the plant is established and putting out regular new growth. Lemon Balm Seeds ($3.95 for a packet of 500 at Burpee) can be started in the early spring or propagated indoors. Lemon Balm Preferred pH Range. Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a very useful remarkable perennial herb that is a member of the mint family. You can grow your lemon balm indoors year round, but with a container you can also move it outdoors to enjoy it in the garden or on the patio in the warmer months. The leaves won’t taste right if you let the plant bolt. Originally grown in South Europe, lemon balm is often used in combination with other herbs and is frequently found in poultry and fish dishes, desserts, and teas. It is known by various other universal names also common balm, balm mint, lemon balm, Melissa essential oil.For the reason that, in food industries, lemon balm extract and essence of this herbal plant leaf largely used for flavoring purposes in food, beverages and making perfumes. Fragrant lemon-scented leaves and white flowers are attractive to bees. With a temperature of 65 - 75F, germination is usually in 21 days. It might be your cat. The fragrance of lemon balm helps deter insects that attack cabbage family crops … Lemon balm is a perennial herb in zones 4-9. If you see signs of flowers forming, pinch them off. 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. Lemon balm also has the tendency to bolt if exposed to too much water or not maintained properly. 12 to 14 hours per day is recommended for growing indoors with Bulbo lights. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle easily, you can transplant them into a traditional pot with soil. Lemon balm is a creeping herb with shiny green leaves, it is known by several common names such as balm, common balm or balm mint etc. Lemon balm is way more used in culinary applications due to its citrusy flavor and lemony aroma while catnip has a more bland mint taste. A hardy perennial shrub that is tolerant to USDA zones 3 through 7, lemon balm can be grown year-round indoors, as well as outdoors in warmer climates. Heart palpitations, nervous tension, insomnia, and hyperactivity are all classic indications for lemon balm and these combined describe what some people experience when their thyroid becomes overactive, such as in Grave’s disease.In fact, lemon balm, bugleweed (Lycopus spp.) Like many other herbs, lemon balm prospers best outdoors but can be grown successfully inside as well, as long as proper attention is paid to its unique needs. 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. Grow in container or contained area of the garden as this plant spreads. If you see signs of flowers forming, pinch them off. … Sign up for our newsletter. Instead, it's advised to discard your lemon balm plant if it bolts (goes to flower), in part because the taste and potency of the leaves will be diminished. All gardeners know that it is nice to have any green plant indoors, especially during the winter months. Lemon balm can be easily propagated from seeds, cuttings, or by plant division. Lemon Balm Plant Spacing. So, avoid using any soil that was used before to grow other plants. Whether used as an essential oil, tincture, capsule, concentrate or medicinal tea, it has been shown to help anxiety, insomnia and indigestion and may even help heal cold sores. Start seeds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date in your area. Lemon Balm's botanical name "Melissa" is Greek for "honey bee". Lemon balm also has a unique medicinal history—its use as a curative can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where its leaves were used in a variety of tonics and teas, and its essential oils were extracted to aid with digestive issues. More exposure to light promotes better essential oil production. Take care to never remove more than about 25 percent of the plant's mass at any one time. Like mint, lemon balm is quite hardy and can be overwintered as far north as hardiness zones 4 and 5. Garden Pests and Diseases of Lemon Balm. 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. Pot them up in September or October, but then leave them outdoors until they’ve gone through a good frost or two (or three). Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! 75 Lemon Balm Benefits. Lemon balm is an ancient herb native to southern Europe that is closely related to mint. When it comes to its indoor environment, the lemon balm plant is not particularly picky. Lemon balm can grow in many types of soil, including clay soil, but it prefers well-drained loamy soil. Put your lemon balm plants to use by turning them into a lemon balm oil infusion. Follow these How to Grow Lemon Balm from seeds instructions and grow some wonderful “Lemony” flavour. Whether you are gifted with a green thumb or not, our guide will help you grow the perfect houseplants. Lemon balm is said to soothe symptoms of stress, help you to relax, and … Lemon balm’s Latin name is taken from the Greek word for bee (Melissa), and from the ancient belief that a swarm of honeybees could be attracted to an empty hive simply by placing sprigs of the plant inside. You can also pick leaves from your indoor lemon balm to use in savory and sweet dishes, salads, cocktails, and just about anything else that can benefit from an herbal lemon flavor. If you want to grow geraniums indoors, then do check out our article! Keep reading to learn more about how to grow lemon balm. Starting the plants indoors and transplanting. This plant has scented foliage, making it quite different from the other fragrant indoor plants in this list. It’s full of fragrance, so you can plant it anywhere that you want to deter insects. Your biggest hurdle to growing catnip indoors might not be low light levels, cold air, or lack of consistent watering. You can plant lemon balm from seeds or seedlings, which are young plants that have already sprouted stems. Lemon balm can be susceptible to whitefly, spider mites, thrips, and powdery mildew. It also makes a nicely scented sachet. Often said to ease stress and anxiety, lemon balm contains a compound known as rosmarinic acidthat appears to have potent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. If you notice small flower buds beginning to form on your lemon balm plant, take care to pinch them off quickly. Lemon Mint 150 Seeds - Monarda Citriodora Mint Plant, Lemon Bee Balm Seeds, Purple Horsemint Plant, Beautiful Herb Mint Seeds for Planting Home Garden 5.0 out of 5 stars 1 $9.75 $ 9 . Catnip, a perennial favorite of all things feline, is a relative of the mint and lemon balm, which means it's not a hard plant to grow indoors. in just a single season. For soil, any decent potting soil will work, but make sure the container drains. Starting lemon balm from seed indoors will give your plants a headstart in the spring. For that reason, many gardeners choose to plant lemon balm in containers, whether grown indoors or out, in an attempt to control its invasive nature. Prepare a spot to plant the lemon balm, in either full sunlight or partial shade. Lemon balm usually grows to a height of 12 to 18 inches (30 -45cm). Plant lemon balm in containers to help prevent spreading, as lemon balm is a rapid grower that can often overtake an entire herb garden. A nice sunny spot will be best for your lemon balm, with at least five hours per day of sunlight. Lemon balm plants tend to be pass-along plants that a gardener ends up with from plant swaps or as gifts from other gardeners. Alternative practitioners believe that lemon balm can be used to treat a wide range of medical conditions, including insomnia, cold sores, high cholesterol, genital herpes, heartburn, and indigestion. Lemon Balm is a member of the mint family and has fragrant lemon-scented leaves and clusters of small white flowers that are attractive to bees. Lemon balm and catnip can happily grow together indoor. Lemon balm, a member of the mint family, is a lovely mild herb named for the lemony scent of its leaves. Both lemon balm and catnip are part of the mint family but lemon balm has a brighter green appearance. Water your plant regularly, without letting it get soggy. It's easy to start new plants from packaged seeds (they will germinate in a little over a week) or simply buy new seedlings at your local garden center. Growing herbs like lemon balm can struggle indoors, then do check out our article perfect... 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