Description
Lemon Balm Seeds – Melissa officinalis
Grow your own Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) with our quality Lemon Balm Seeds. This vigorous perennial herb belongs to the mint family, Lamiaceae, and is well suited to herb gardens, cottage gardens and containers.
Lemon Balm is an attractive and easy-to-grow herb with bright green leaves and a distinctive fresh lemon fragrance. The small white to pale flowers are popular with bees and other pollinating insects, making Lemon Balm a useful addition to a wildlife-friendly garden.
The plant can grow to around 70-150 cm tall under suitable conditions. Once established, it can produce plenty of fresh leaves throughout the growing season.
Growing Lemon Balm from Seed
Lemon Balm is relatively easy to grow from seed. Choose a sunny or lightly shaded position with fertile, well-drained soil. The plant appreciates regular moisture but does not do well in soil that remains constantly waterlogged.
Sow the seeds in a suitable seed-raising mix and press them gently into the surface. Lemon Balm seeds are small, so avoid covering them deeply. Keep the growing medium lightly moist while the seeds germinate.
Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, transplant them carefully into individual pots or directly into the garden. Leave enough space between plants for them to develop as they mature.
Lemon Balm can also be grown successfully in containers. Growing it in a pot is a convenient option for smaller gardens and makes it easier to keep the plant contained.
Caring for Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm is a vigorous perennial and can spread readily once established. Choose a position where it has room to grow, or plant it in a container if you prefer to keep it contained.
Water regularly during dry weather, particularly while young plants are becoming established. A layer of mulch around the plants can help retain moisture and reduce competition from weeds.
Regular harvesting of the leaves encourages fresh growth and provides a plentiful supply for herbal tea and other traditional preparations.
Lemon Balm Tea
Lemon Balm has a long history of traditional use as a herbal tea. The fresh or dried leaves have a pleasant lemon fragrance and a refreshing, mildly citrus flavour.
Simply harvest healthy leaves as needed and use them fresh, or dry them for later use. The leaves can be enjoyed on their own as an infusion or combined with other herbs to create your own herbal tea blends.
The aromatic leaves also make Lemon Balm a popular choice for gardeners who enjoy growing herbs for traditional household and herbal preparations.
Lemon Balm Plant Information
Botanical name: Melissa officinalis
Common names: Lemon Balm, Balm, Melissa
Family: Lamiaceae
Plant type: Perennial herb
Height: Approximately 70-150 cm
Flowers: Small white to pale flowers
Growing conditions: Sun to light shade, fertile well-drained soil
Form: Seeds
With its fragrant lemon-scented leaves, attractive flowers and vigorous growth, Lemon Balm is an excellent choice for the home herb garden. It is easy to grow and can provide a generous supply of fresh leaves for traditional herbal tea.
