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Home Herbs Lemon Balm
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Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm

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Melissa officinalis. A perennial aromatic herb, a classic of tea and apothecary gardens — the soul of the famous Eau des Carmes, distilled by monks since 1611 to calm the nerves and the stomach. The Greeks called it melissa, "bee," because hives rush to it. Crush a leaf between your...

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Melissa officinalis.

A perennial aromatic herb, a classic of tea and apothecary gardens — the soul of the famous Eau des Carmes, distilled by monks since 1611 to calm the nerves and the stomach. The Greeks called it melissa, "bee," because hives rush to it. Crush a leaf between your fingers and you'll understand its other name, lemon balm: a fresh, bright, almost sweet perfume that evaporates as fast as it appears.

A hardy, vigorous perennial, it forms a dense clump of square stems and crinkled tender-green leaves. Its small cream-white flowers, discreet but constant, set the garden humming all summer long. Once well established, it self-seeds generously — some would say a little too much — so it's best to give it a corner where it can spread, or to cut the flower stalks before they go to seed.

Grower's tip: Lemon balm germinates slowly (14-21 days) and needs light to emerge. Sow on the surface, press gently without covering, and keep the medium moist by misting rather than watering — the seedlings are fragile in the first weeks.

  • Open-pollinated.
  • Height: 60-80 cm.
  • Flowering: July to September.
  • Exposure: full sun to part shade (appreciates some afternoon shade in hot summers).
  • Ordinary to rich soil, cool and well-drained. A little compost at planting is welcome. Thin to 30-40 cm.
  • Start indoors 6-8 weeks before last frost, or direct in the garden once the soil has warmed (May-June). Hardy perennial to zone 4: it returns year after year.