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Growing Lemon Balm


Gold Post Medal for All Time! 858 Posts
April 11, 2006
lemon balm
Botanical Name:
Melissa officinalis
Common names:
Lemon Balm
Description:
Like its name suggests, Lemon Balm has a strong and invigorating lemon scent. Its decorative appearance includes clusters of tiny white flowers, and vein-filled, oval-shaped leaves that contain lemon-scented oils. Lemon Balm grows to a height of 3 feet and gives the best show when planted along borders or in front of shrubs.
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Varieties are available to compliment every plant in the garden, including cultivars for shade with bright, golden-yellow leaves, and sun-lovers with leaves splashed in lime-green and gold. Lemon Balm flowers are attractive to bees, so avoid using them directly along paths and walkways.
Life Cycle:
hardy perennial
Exposure:
full sun to partial shade
Cultivation:
Lemon Balm seeds are tiny and slow to germinate, but once established, the plants will eventually reseed themselves. Sow seeds in the spring in a location with moist, fertile soil or start with cuttings that have been rooted in water. A sunny site and moist soil are best for producing quality oils with a strong fragrance, although the plants do not tolerate high humidly well. Cut plants back to the soil level in the fall to encourage bushier growth. Plants can be divided in spring and relocated to other parts of the garden. Plants lose their tidy compact shape as they age and may need to be replaced.
Propagation:
cuttings, division and seeds
Parts Used:
leaves
Harvesting and Storage:
Cut leaves from plants as needed. Gently crush the leaves to release their scented oils. Oils are at their highest concentrations in the leaves during the early evening hours.
Medicinal Uses:
headaches; insomnia; nervousness; coughs; insect bites; aromatherapy
Culinary Uses
vegetable dishes, milk custards
Other Uses:
laundry rinse; potpourri; furniture polish; hair and skin care; oils.

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Bronze Feedback Medal for All Time! 153 Feedbacks
June 16, 2010

When I first was given a start of lemon balm, I had no idea what to do with it! The second season, I was pretty wary because it had spread over a large area.

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It spreads by seeds and maybe by runners underground.

cup of lemon balm tea with fresh and dried leaves

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