The Complete Guide to Growing & Harvesting Lemon Balm

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), also known as the “elixir of life,” is an ancient herb from the mint family traditionally used medicinally and as a flavoring for food and drinks for over 2,000 years. Originally from southern Europe, it has become naturalized in the Americas and beyond. Due to the lemony smell it emits from its foliage, it is a fantastic plant to grow in the garden.

About Lemon Balm Plant:

Bushy and perennial, lemon balm grows to a height of two feet. Lemon balm is hardy and requires little care. Plants bear pairs of 3-inch-long leaves in medium green, wrinkled and serrated along squarish stems.

Complete Guide to Grow Lemon Balm

• Plant directly in the soil from late March to mid-April, or start seeds indoors six to eight weeks before the last frost.
• Fill the holes with dirt just enough to cover the seeds. Lightly dust the surface with a spoon.
• Allow just enough water in the growing medium to prevent seeds from drying out or washing away. To avoid disturbing the plants, mix the soil with a bottle of water. Use a watering can at the bottom if you’re growing in starter pots.
• In 2 to 3 weeks, the seeds will germinate.
• Once the seedlings have emerged, keep the soil moist at all times.
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• Allow plants to grow a few inches if seeds were started inside. When they’re big enough to handle, transplant them into the garden.
• Place transplants 18 to 24 inches apart.
• Thin seedlings to 8 inches apart if sown directly in the garden. Then, do a second thinning at a distance of at least 18 inches after a few weeks.

1. From Cuttings:

• Snip a 2 to 3-inch cutting with healthy leaves and new growth at the tip.
• Put the cuttings in a cup of water and place them somewhere that gets indirect sunlight.
• As needed, replenish the water supply. The roots can take up to 6 weeks to sprout from the stem’s base.
• Plant the lemon balm cutting in nutrient-rich soil and water it well once it has developed a good set of roots.
• Continue to grow the plant indoors for a few more weeks before hardening it off and transferring it outside.

1. From Starter Plant:

• • As soon as it is warm adequate to transplant outdoors, loosen the soil at your chosen location with a shovel to a depth of about 10 inches.
  • Add compost to the soil.
  • Dig a hole that is slightly larger than the pot of the plant.
  • Remove the lemon balm from the pot and plant it at the same depth as before.
  • Replace the soil around the roots with your hands and gently push it down.

• During the first week or two, water deeply and frequently to let the roots establish themselves in their new habitat.

How to Harvest Lemon Balm:

• You can harvest the leaves of your lemon balm plants for the rest of the season after they are established and producing new growth.
• Remove the leaves and clip off a length of stem to harvest. Plants will re-grow from the point where you cut them. To maintain lemon balm healthy and fruitful, never harvest more than 25% of the plant’s foliage at a time.
• Older leaves are usually more soft, aromatic, and delicious than newer ones. Fresh leaves are best employed in culinary preparations because dried leaves lose a lot of their aroma.
• Hang lemon balm bunches in a warm, dark, and well-ventilated area to store for later use. When completely dried, remove leaves and store in a tightly sealed container. Fresh leaves can also be frozen.

With this guide, you’ll have an abundance of lemon balm in no time! Check out our next article on 7 wonderful ways to use lemon balm.