Description
Due to its beauty and fragrance, the medieval Frankish king, Charlemagne, had lemon balm planted in every monastery garden. Add to tea, use as a cooking herb to impart lemony flavor, or enjoy its aromatherapeutic qualities in a relaxing bath. Used by herbalists for insomnia and to soothe upset stomachs. A good container variety.
Botanical Name: Melissa officinalis
Family: Lamiaceae
Native: Mediterranean region and Asia
Hardiness: Perennial, USDA zones 3–7
Plant Dimensions: 18″–24″ tall, 24″–36″ wide
Variety Information: Lemon balm has crinkled, oval leaves with serrated edges and square stems. The leaves have a lemony mint flavor and fragrance. Small white flowers bloom from mid- to late summer.
Attributes: Attracts Pollinators, Deer Resistant, Drought Tolerant, Good for Containers
When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date, or up to 2 months before your average first fall frost date. Optimal soil temperature for germination is 65°–75°F.
When to Start Inside: 6 to 8 weeks before average last frost.
Days to Emerge: 10–15 days
Seed Depth: Press into surface
Seed Spacing: A group of 4 seeds every 18″
Row Spacing: Plant in blocks, groups, or pots
Thinning: When 1″ tall, thin to 1 every 18″
270 seeds.