PlotPal

Lemon Balm

Lemon Balm is listed botanically as Melissa officinalis. It may also be listed as beebalm, common balm, lemonbalm, melissa. Fragrant perennial herb with lemon-scented leaves, useful in kitchen gardens and especially attractive to bees when allowed to flower. PlotPal's canonical care record lists partial shade and moderate water needs. The current taxonomy reference places it in the genus Melissa and in the family Lamiaceae. Its source-backed growth habit is listed as forb/herb. PlotPal currently carries Lemon Balm as an outdoor growing and herb reference. Growing note: Grow in sun to partial shade in well-drained soil. Pinch or harvest regularly for bushier growth, and remove flower stalks before seed set if you want to limit self-sowing. Propagation or sowing note: Start from seed indoors or direct sow after frost; established plants are also easily divided. Plant-health prevention note: Provide airflow, avoid routinely wetting foliage, and divide or thin crowded plants. Pest-prevention note: Inspect tender new growth and use a strong stream of water to dislodge small aphid or mite populations before they build. Common pests in the reference include Aphids, Spider mites. Common plant-health issues in the reference include Powdery mildew, Leaf spot. Use this guide as practical growing context, then adjust decisions to the actual weather, soil, container or bed, variety, and conditions in your garden.