Lemon balm

Melissa officinalis · Herb

A bushy mint-family herb with lemon-scented leaves, used for tea. It grows almost anywhere and spreads by seed, so trimming before it flowers keeps it in check.

💧WaterWeekly, tolerates brief dryness (estimated)

☀️LightSun to partial shade

🐾PetsToxic to pets

Care at a glance

Light: Full sun to partial shade
Water: About 1 in per week; tolerates short dry spells
Soil: Moist, well-drained, average fertility, pH 6.0–7.5
Temperature: Best 60–75 °F; hardy to about −20 °F
Spacing: 18–24 in apart
Container: At least 2 gallons, 8 in deep
Harvest: Harvest from about 70 days after sowing (estimated)
Lifespan: Perennial

When?

Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost, or sow outside after it. Seeds need light to germinate, so barely cover them (estimated).

Step by step

Press seeds onto the surface of moist mix; don't bury them deeply.
Keep at 65–70 °F; seedlings appear in 1–3 weeks.
Plant out after frost, giving shade in hot afternoons.
Harvest leaves regularly, cutting stems just above a leaf pair.
Shear the plant before flowering for fresh growth and fewer seedlings.
Cut back to a few inches in late autumn.
Divide large clumps in spring every few years.

Common problems

Seedlings popping up everywhereSelf-sowing; cut back before seeds ripen.

White coating on leavesPowdery mildew; thin stems and improve airflow.

Weak flavourToo much shade or fertiliser; give more sun and feed less.

Pets

ASPCA lists lemon balm as toxic to cats and dogs; it may cause stomach upset. If in doubt, ask your vet.

Similar plants

Mint Chamomile Sage

Sources

ASPCA — Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants

This page is general guidance; no pesticide doses are given.