Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm — variety description

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herb of the Mint family (Lamiaceae). This lovely relative of mint is called lemon balm.

Fragrant spikes of small white flowers, loved by bees, rise above lemon-scented leaves.

Pick the leaves to make lemon tea or to add to soups or salad dressings.

Well known for its medicinal value, the leaves can be mixed with honey and water to energise, revive and calm the nerves.

This is an extremely useful plant. Reaches a height of about 30-40 cm.

Leaves for fresh use can be cut when the lemon balm has reached 15-20 cm. tall.

The herb can be dried in bunches and kept in a ventilated, dry, shady place.

If you grow lemon balm for essential oil, you need to harvest the above-ground part of the plant when it is in flower.

Lemon balm has a fresh lemon scent and is a classic calming herb for tea. A good honey plant and very easy to grow.

Key features

• Measured germination rate of the batch: 90%
• Seeds per packet: 510–690 pcs (0.3 g)
• Seed origin: Poland
• Sowing: March – May; seedlings
• Flowering: June – August
• Harvest: May – July
• Position: sun to partial shade

When to sow Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm seeds are sown in March – May. The plants flower in June – August. The crop is harvested from May to July. The months are a guide for a temperate climate — in warmer areas sow 1–2 weeks earlier, in cooler or upland areas, later.

How to sow and grow Lemon Balm

• Sowing method: seedlings
• Depth: on the surface
• Spacing: 30–40 cm
• Germination: 14–21 days at 18–22 °C
• Position: sun to partial shade

For best results, sow immediately onto good soil compost. Cover the seeds with fine sand or compost to approximately their own depth. They can be sown at any time, and sometimes germination can be quicker if they are kept at 15 to 20°C. The seeds are very small, and high soil moisture is needed for them to emerge regularly. That is why early spring sowings or growing lemon balm from seedlings are recommended. Lemon balm needs plenty of light and warmth, so it is worth choosing open spots sheltered from cold winds and away from water. It is undemanding as to soil, but develops better and branches more in slightly acid, structurally light soil.

The seeds germinate in light. Tolerates partial shade; cut back after flowering for new leaves.

Harvest and use

Pick the leaves before flowering.

Frequently asked questions

When should Lemon Balm be sown?

The recommended sowing months are March – May. Sowing method: seedlings.

How many seeds are in the packet?

The packet contains 510–690 seeds, pack size 0.3 g.

What is the germination rate of the seeds?

The measured germination rate of this batch is 90%. The test was carried out under controlled laboratory conditions; in the field, emergence depends on soil, temperature and moisture.