How to Grow Lemon Balm: Planting, Spacing, Care & Harvest

Quick answer

Start indoors 4 to 6 weeks before last frost (WI). Transplant at last frost. NC State: spreads aggressively by rhizomes — best in a container. Not bee balm (Monarda).

Lemon balm at a glance

PlantStart indoors: 6–4 wk before last frost; Transplant: last frost
SunFull sun; fertile well-drained (WI).
SpacingWI: space 16–18 inches.
Days to harvestPerennial
-7-6-5-4-3-2-1LF+1+2+3
■ Start indoors   ■ Plant out   ■ Harvest
Weeks relative to last frost (LF). Colored weeks show when our ZIP planner schedules each step.
Jump to

Updated

Planting dates for your ZIP: the ZIP planting planner counts each window from your local frost dates.

Organic pests and diseases: see also organic pest control. Use any product as the label directs.

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) — mint-family perennial. Not bee balm (Monarda). Containment required.

Lemon balm plant
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis). Photo: Amitchell125, Wikimedia Commons, CC BY-SA 4.0 (resized).

Planting timing

Wisconsin: start from seed indoors about 4 to 6 weeks before the last spring frost; transplant when seedlings are 2 to 3 inches tall. You can also sow outdoors in fall or late spring. Division spring or early fall. (Wisconsin lemon balm) Planner: Start indoors last frost −6 to −4; Transplant last frost 0.

Depth and spacing

WI: space 16–18 inches. NC: height 1.5–2 ft; width 1.5–3 ft.

Sun, soil and water

Full sun; fertile well-drained (WI). NC: full sun to part shade; moist well-drained.

Care and containment

NC State: “spreads aggressively by rhizomes, so it is best to grow in a container on a patio or deck where it is unlikely to escape into the landscape.” Has escaped/naturalized in parts of the U.S. Prune spent stalks; unpruned plants get weedy. (NC State Melissa) WI: may reseed aggressively — deadhead; cut hard after flowering for a flush of leaves. UMD: do not spray insecticides on herbs.

Harvest

WI: cut several inches at flowering year 1; 2–3 cuttings/season on established plants. Fresh preferred (dried loses aroma).

Pests and diseases

NC: aphids, spider mites; powdery mildew, leaf spot, leaf blight, gray mold. Prefer cultural controls and water sprays; discard badly diseased foliage. Do not spray insecticides on herbs (UMD).

Related: mint · ZIP planner

Frequently asked questions

When do I start lemon balm?

4–6 weeks before last frost indoors (WI); set out at last frost (0).

Will it take over the garden?

Yes risk — container/containment and deadheading (NC/WI).

Same as bee balm?

No — Melissa vs Monarda.

More grow guides: All grow guides

Sources