Grow in container or contained area of the garden as this plant spreads. You can use artificial light if you don't have a sunny window sill to place them on. This plant has scented foliage, making it quite different from the other fragrant indoor plants in this list. 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. 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. 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. It also makes a nicely scented sachet. Melissa officinalis Labiatae Lemon Balm 'Quedlinburger' Temperature Germination: 18-22°C Growth: 18-25°C Light Lemon balm does best with plenty of light. Lemon Balm Plant Spacing. 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. 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. 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. More exposure to light promotes better essential oil production. 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. There are some who even contend that it can improve cognit… ", 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). Once the plant blooms, the flavor of its leaves will change, causing them to taste bitter. 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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. Often said to ease stress and anxiety, lemon balm contains a compound known as rosmarinic acidthat appears to have potent antioxidant and antimicrobial properties. 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. Lemon balm can be grown from seed or cuttings. 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. 75 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. Whether you are gifted with a green thumb or not, our guide will help you grow the perfect houseplants. 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. It can help relieve stress. Lemon Balm's botanical name "Melissa" is Greek for "honey bee". Lemon balm and catnip can happily grow together indoor. To cook with your lemon balm, harvest the leaves as soon as the plant is established and putting out regular new growth. Introducing "One Thing": A New Video Series, The Spruce Gardening & Plant Care Review Board, The Spruce Renovations and Repair Review Board. They come in many fragrance categories like rose, citrus, mint, apple, lemon, orange, and coconut! Take care to never remove more than about 25 percent of the plant's mass at any one time. Jon VanZile is a Master Gardener and the author of "Houseplants for a Healthy Home. Lemon balm can be easily propagated from seeds, cuttings, or by plant division. When it comes to its indoor environment, the lemon balm plant is not particularly picky. 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. 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. However, growing herbs like lemon balm in containers inside adds much more than just a cheerful splash of living green. Lemon Balm Plant Height. 4 On the other hand, lemon balm is very sensitive to frost and it cannot stand excessively cold temperatures. 2. Lemon balm, a member of the mint family, is a lovely mild herb named for the lemony scent of its leaves. Prepare a spot to plant the lemon balm, in either full sunlight or partial shade. 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. Knowing what this herb needs will allow you to grow it indoors, year round. Lemon Balm Seeds ($3.95 for a packet of 500 at Burpee) can be started in the early spring or propagated indoors. Potted Lemon Balm Plants are available online at Horizon Herbs; $7.20 each. Lemon balm plants tend to be pass-along plants that a gardener ends up with from plant swaps or as gifts from other gardeners. 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). 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. Lemon Balm Benefits. Put your lemon balm plants to use by turning them into a lemon balm oil infusion. You can plant lemon balm from seeds or seedlings, which are young plants that have already sprouted stems. One made of clay or terracotta can also be helpful, as the porous material will help to wick any added moisture from the 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. It’s full of fragrance, so you can plant it anywhere that you want to deter insects. 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.) Lemon balm is said to soothe symptoms of stress, help you to relax, and … Description Lemon Balm is used to calm nerves, improve sleep, and soothe an upset stomach. If you see signs of flowers forming, pinch them off. Lemon balm usually grows to a height of 12 to 18 inches (30 -45cm). Indoor lemon balm care is pretty easy and straightforward, but keep an eye on your plant and watch for signs of bolting. Companion planting: Grow lemon balm with broccoli, cauliflower, and other cabbage family plants. 12 to 14 hours per day is recommended for growing indoors with Bulbo lights. Lemon balm is an ancient herb native to southern Europe that is closely related to mint. All gardeners know that it is nice to have any green plant indoors, especially during the winter months. 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. If you notice your plant getting a lot of harsh direct rays or turning brown on its leaves, rotate it periodically to avoid burning. In an outdoor garden environment, lemon balm is sometimes considered a pest because of its invasiveness, but it’s the perfect container plant. Containers are perfect for lemon balm growing because, like mint, it will spread rapidly and take over a bed in the garden. Starting the plants indoors and transplanting. 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. 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. 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 has a lot of great companion plants. The fragrance of lemon balm helps deter insects that attack cabbage family crops … Be sure to start with young lemon balm plants from Bonnie Plants®, which has been helping home gardeners succeed for over 100 years. Lemon balm can struggle indoors, but with enough attention it should thrive. Check the date of the last frost in your local area and calculate 6 – 8 weeks prior to that. You can use a light liquid fertilizer for houseplants every couple of weeks to encourage growth. Start Lemon Balm directly outdoors after danger of frost has passed. Sign up to get all the latest gardening tips! 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. 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. Plant lemon balm in containers to help prevent spreading, as lemon balm is a rapid grower that can often overtake an entire herb garden. If you see signs of flowers forming, pinch them off. Garden Pests and Diseases of Lemon Balm. In most cases, you’ll have easier time using seedlings, though lemon balm seeds are fairly hardy and usually sprout without much trouble. Press the seed into the soil, do not cover it and keep it moist. A nice sunny spot will be best for your lemon balm, with at least five hours per day of sunlight. 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. It might be your cat. Above: Lemon balm grows voraciously; some find it to be … So, avoid using any soil that was used before to grow other plants. Pro tip: Remember, you can always add more water but … This lemony flavored herb is … The leaves won’t taste right if you let the plant bolt. For soil, any decent potting soil will work, but make sure the container drains. Mint plants are known for their prolific growth, and our friend, lemon balm, is no exception. Be sure you acclimate plants to outdoor conditions before putting them in the ground. 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. Pot them up in September or October, but then leave them outdoors until they’ve gone through a good frost or two (or three). Water your plant regularly, without letting it get soggy. 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 (Melissa officinalis) is a very useful remarkable perennial herb that is a member of the mint family. in just a single season. 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. … Lemon balm looks nice, but it also smells nice. Both lemon balm and catnip are part of the mint family but lemon balm has a brighter green appearance. Indoor lemon balm care is pretty easy and straightforward, but keep an eye on your plant and watch for signs of bolting. 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. Lemon balm has no serious pest issues, but can be susceptible to powdery mildew. 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. With a temperature of 65 - 75F, germination is usually in 21 days. While not as popular as other herbs, lemon balm is nevertheless a wonderful herb to have in your garden. Lemon balm is a great option for container gardening, and it pairs well with summer annuals such as dill or basil. Fragrant lemon-scented leaves and white flowers are attractive to bees. This can leave a gardener wondering what to do with lemon balm and what is lemon balm used for exactly. The plant will also grow much faster and healthier if the soil is rich in organic matter. Like mint, lemon balm is quite hardy and can be overwintered as far north as hardiness zones 4 and 5. Growing lemon balm is a warm weather activity. Lemon Balm can also be grown indoors in a sunny window. 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. Be sure th… Seeds should germinate in 7-14 days if indoor temperatures are around 70°F. Lemon balm plants prefer a slightly sandy, well-drained soil. A few companion plants for growing lemon balm … Lemon balm can be susceptible to whitefly, spider mites, thrips, and powdery mildew. 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 versatile herb is a rapid grower outdoors—after planting in early spring, it's not unusual to see a lemon balm plant grow to over a foot tall (sometimes, even two!) If you want to grow geraniums indoors, then do check out our article! Lemon Balm Preferred pH Range. It features similar wrinkled, oval-shaped leaves and boasts a fresh citrusy smell and scent that many home cooks love to add to salads, soups, and more. When it comes to watering your lemon balm plant, always err on the side of under-watering, rather than over-watering. Place your herb containers near a windowsill that gets ample light throughout the day. To prevent it from developing, plant your lemon balm with ample room separating it from other plants to allow for good air circulation. The leaves won’t taste right if you let the plant bolt. Tea Rose Begonia 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). Your biggest hurdle to growing catnip indoors might not be low light levels, cold air, or lack of consistent watering. 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. Once the seedlings are large enough to handle easily, you can transplant them into a traditional pot with soil. 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. Place the pot in a location that receives at least 5 hours of direct sunlight a day. 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. However, most indoor growers won't see their plants set seeds. That is the time you begin with starting the seeds of lemon balm indoors. How much to plant: Grow 4 lemon balm plants for cooking; grow 6 to 12 plants for tea and preserving. Find more gardening information on Gardening Know How: Keep up to date with all that's happening in and around the garden. Lemon balm seeds need ample light in order to germinate and grow. and motherwort (Leonorus cardiacus) is a classic western formula for a hyperactive thyroid. How to Grow Lemon Balm. 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. Starting lemon balm from seed indoors will give your plants a headstart in the spring. That’s particularly helpful if you plant lemon balm near cabbage because it attracts insects that typically destroy cabbage family crops. Like mint, this herb will grow readily if you give it the right conditions. 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. Plants will reach two feet in height at maturity, with a spreading nature that can be controlled with proper care. Videos About Growing Lemon Balm. 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. 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. 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. 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. Take into consideration the size of the mature plant when deciding on a location in your space. Lemon balm also has the tendency to bolt if exposed to too much water or not maintained properly. Lemon balm plants should be spaced between 12 and 15 inches (30 and 38 cm) apart. Follow these How to Grow Lemon Balm from seeds instructions and grow some wonderful “Lemony” flavour. In both indoor and outdoor environments, lemon balm loves a sunny spot. 2 Spade the soil to a depth of at least 8 to 10 inches. 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. Get it free when you sign up for our newsletter. Lemon balm can grow in many types of soil, including clay soil, but it prefers well-drained loamy soil. Purchase lemon balm seeds or seedlings. A whiff of lemon in the winter, and at all times of the year, is a great mood booster. Keep reading to learn more about how to grow lemon balm. Lemon balm is related to mint, which is good news for growing it. Lemon balm is a perennial herb in zones 4-9. Sign up for our newsletter. If you notice small flower buds beginning to form on your lemon balm plant, take care to pinch them off quickly. Start seeds indoors about 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date in your area. If powdery mildew does develop, remove the infected leaves, and treat with a mild fungicide. 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