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Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm)

Other names: Sweet Mary, Tea balm, Honey plant, Pimentary, Sweet balm, Barm leaf, Bee balm, Dropsywort, Balm, Balm leaf, Balm oil plant

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Species
M. officinalis is a bushy perennial with ovate, lemon-scented leaves, and creamy-white or pale purple flowers spikes in summer.
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Season of interest

Flower

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Flower

Foliage

Spring Summer Autumn Winter
Foliage
Height and spread

Height and spread

Size Max height Max spread To maturity
1 m 0.5 m 2-5 years
3 ft 1 ft 2-5 years

Where to grow

Soil type
  • Chalky
  • Clay
  • Loamy
  • Sandy
Soil drainage
  • Moist but well-drained
  • Well-drained
Soil pH
  • Acid
  • Alkaline
  • Neutral
Sunlight
  • Partial Shade
  • Full Shade
  • Full Sun
Aspect
  • East
  • West
  • South
  • North
Exposure
  • Exposed
  • Sheltered

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Additional plant details

Cultivation

Melissa officinalis will grow happily in any soil or aspect. Dead-head to avoid self-seeding.

Suggested uses

Beds and borders, Cottage/Informal, Wildlife, Flavouring food and drinks, Bees (attract & feed bees)

UK hardiness

H7

USDA zones

Zone 3, Zone 4, Zone 5, Zone 6, Zone 7

Sunset zone

1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24

WUCOLS

North-Central Coastal = Moderate/Medium
Central Valley = Moderate/Medium
South Coastal = Moderate/Medium
South Inland = Unknown
High and Intermediate Desert = Unknown
Low Desert = Unknown

Foliage

Deciduous

Habit

Bushy, Rounded

Native to

Southern Europe

Drought tolerant

No

Flood tolerant

No

Fragrance

Leaves are scented - hence the common name Lemon balm - and can be used to flavour refreshing, cool drinks.

Toxicity

Not toxic

Plant care

Pruning

Cut back after flowering to encourage fresh leaf production and to prevent unwanted self-seeding.

Propagation methods

Seed, Division

Pests

Leafhoppers

Diseases

Generally disease-free.

Divide and replant clumps in autumn or early spring

Plant in moist soil between autumn and spring

Cut back after flowering in early autumn (optional)

Check for waterlogging during winter (optional)

Plant in full sun or partial shade (autumn or spring)

Sow seeds in a cold frame in spring

Other plants

Plants in this Genus (4)

Melissa

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Melissa officinalis 'All Gold'
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Melissa officinalis 'All Gold' Lemon balm 'All Gold'
Melissa officinalis 'Aurea'
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Melissa officinalis 'Aurea' Lemon balm 'Aurea'
Melissa officinalis
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Melissa officinalis Lemon balm
Melissa officinalis 'Mandarina'
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Melissa officinalis 'Mandarina' Lemon balm 'Mandarina'
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Companion plants (3)

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Alchemilla epipsila
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Alchemilla epipsila Dwarf lady's mantle
Mentha spicata
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Mentha spicata Spearmint
Alchemilla mollis
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Alchemilla mollis Lady's mantle
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Related content

Discuss Melissa officinalis with other Shoot members

Melissa offcinalis

Shoot User
947 0
Lemon balm is closely related to mint but has a milder taste and a less invasive habit. Its flowers are very attractive to bees: its botanical name, Melissa, is the Greek for bee. The lemon-scented leaves can be added to salads and cakes or used as a flavouring in cooking or in herbal teas. Hanging bunches in the house is said to help keep flies away.
Posted: Friday 5th of June 2009 07:39 PM Last reply: Friday 28th of February 2025 05:22 PM
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