How To Grow Lemon Balm

Lemon balm (Latin name – Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herb, which is attractive to pollinators including bees.

The leaves have a gentle lemon scent which are used to flavour ice-creams and herbal teas.

Lemon balm has a bushy habit and grows to a height of 50cm (20inches) & spreads 30cm (12in)  although it can be trimmed. It is vigorous and can take over, so is often grown in a pot or container.

Lemon-Balm

Lemon Balm will grow almost anywhere as long as it is not too dry, but prefers a fertile , well drained soil in full sun.  It grows well in containers.

Sowing Lemon Balm

• Sow March to May
• Place seed on the surface of the seed compost and cover with a sprinkling of compost
• Place in a propagator or a polythene bag and keep at 20-25C (68-77F) until after germination which takes up to 21 days.
• Keep the compost relatively dry
• Leave in a light place.

LemonBalm-close

Care of Lemon Balm

• Plant out Lemon balm plants between 12 and 15 inches (30 and 38cm) apart.
• Remove weeds regularly.
• Water well in dry weather.
• Trim in summer to encourage new, brightly coloured growth,
• Remove flowers to prevent self seeding.

LemonBalmFlower

Using Lemon Balm

• Harvest the young leaves when they are 10cm hight and bright green.
• Use the leaves of lemon balm in stuffings for fish & poultry.
• Use crushed leaves to flavour ice-creams and herbal teas.
• Use in pot-pourri for scent

Click the image below to discover more about Lemon Balm and other  herbs:

How To Grow Culinary Herbs is an ebook produced by TopVeg and FarmingFriends. The ebook is on sale now and explains how to plant a herb garden or grow your own herbs for cooking.