Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a fragrant perennial herb from the mint family, prized for its refreshing citrus aroma and calming properties. With lush green leaves and small white flowers, it attracts bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects while adding beauty and scent to your garden.
Perfect for teas, culinary dishes, and aromatherapy, lemon balm thrives in both garden beds and pots, making it an excellent choice for home herb gardens, kitchen windowsills, or balcony planters.
🌿 Key Features
- Fragrant, lemon-scented herb for culinary and medicinal use
- Produces delicate white flowers loved by pollinators
- Ideal for tea blends, essential oils, and herbal remedies
- Grows well in containers or garden beds
- Hardy perennial and easy to cultivate
- Non-GMO, high germination seeds
🌿 Specifications
- Scientific Name: Melissa officinalis
- Common Name: Lemon Balm
- Plant Type: Perennial Herb
- Seed Type: Non-GMO, Heirloom Quality
- Flower Color: White to Pale Yellow
- Foliage: Light green, serrated leaves with lemon scent
- Mature Height: 18–24 inches (45–60 cm)
- USDA Hardiness Zones: 4–9
- Light Requirements: Full Sun to Partial Shade
- Soil Type: Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter
- Watering Needs: Moderate, keep soil evenly moist
- Bloom Time: Summer (June–August)
- Spacing: 12–18 inches apart
- Germination Time: 10–21 days
- Temperature for Germination: 65–75°F (18–24°C)
- Uses: Herbal teas, culinary seasoning, aromatherapy, pollinator attraction
- Growth Habit: Bushy, spreading perennial herb
🌱 Planting Guide
- Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost.
- Lightly press seeds into moist soil — do not cover deeply.
- Maintain a temperature of 65–75°F for germination.
- Provide indirect sunlight or grow under a light source.
- Transplant seedlings outdoors after frost danger has passed.
- Choose a site with full sun or partial shade and rich soil.
- Keep soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
- Trim plants regularly to promote new growth.
- Harvest leaves before flowering for best flavor.
- Dry or use fresh for teas, infusions, and cooking.