Lemon balm

About Lemon balm

Lemon balm is a leafy, lemon-scented perennial in the mint family, grown for tea and flavoring. It self-seeds and spreads by roots, so it can get weedy if not cut back.

NC State lists lemon balm as hardy in zones 3-7.

When to plant

Timing is counted from your average last spring frost (and first fall frost). Sow & Tell works out the actual dates for your ZIP code.

Start from seed, division or root cuttings. Cut it back to limit self-seeding, since it spreads aggressively.

Soil

Adapts to clay, loam, sandy or rocky soil.

Plant in sun to part shade in moist, well-drained, fertile soil; like most herbs it does best at a pH of 6.0 to 7.5. Base fertilizer and lime on a soil test.

Feeding

• once during the growing season, only if the soil is poor or plants look pale: complete fertilizer such as 5-10-5. Scatter about 3 oz per 10 ft of row beside the plants and water it in; potted plants outdoors can get half-strength liquid fertilizer every 3-4 weeks.

Rich soil or heavy feeding gives fast, lush growth with less essential oil, so leaves have weaker flavor and scent.

Harvest

Pick young leaves, which have more flavor than older ones, and use them fresh or dried.

It can be cut several times a season, though the first cutting is considered the best; perennial herbs can be cut back by about half their height.

Varieties (9)

Extension sources document 8 lemon balm cultivars plus the species. 'Citronella' was not found in an acceptable source and is left out.

Pests to watch for

Four-lined plant bug

In the kitchen

Leaves and flowers are used in tea and to flavor soups and stews.

Keeping it: Keep sprigs in a glass of water or wrapped in the fridge and use within a few days. Fresh leaves have more flavor than dried.

Safety: No side effects had been reported when the European Medicines Agency reviewed it. The agency limits medicinal use to people over 12 and advises seeing a doctor if symptoms last more than two weeks.

Pets: Not listed as toxic by the ASPCA