How to Grow and Harvest Lemon Balm

This lemony powerhouse is a near twin of certain varieties of garden mint, with similarly crinkled, gently serrated leaves. Lemon balm gets its name from the Greek word for honey bee (mélissa); its flowers are a particular favorite of the pollinators. As a result, lemon balm is sometimes confused with bee balm—whose leaves give off the scent of orange blossom and produce much larger, bee-attracting blossoms—or another well-known herb with a bright, citrusy character, lemon verbena.

1. 1. Pick the site. While lemon balm plants thrive in full sun, they can’t tolerate extreme heat, so if you live in a warmer climate, consider a spot with partial shade to prevent scorching. The soil should be on the sandy side—a well-draining, loamy variety, with a soil pH between 4.5 to 7.6.
   
2. 2. Prepare the site. After the last threat of frost has passed and the soil has become a bit more workable, mix a good few inches of organic matter like compost into the potting soil (if planting in a container) or planting site.
3. 3. Plant. Plant lemon balm plants in a hole about the same depth as their starter pots, with a few extra inches of space on either side. (If transplanting plants started inside, harden off young plants for a week by placing them outside in a sunny spot for a few hours during the day and bringing them back inside during the harsher nights to slowly condition them before planting in the ground.)

With a growing season starting in late spring and continuing into winter for hardiness zones with milder cold seasons, lemon balm is low-maintenance and tends to rebound even in the most unpredictable weather. Mulch and water appropriately, and lemon balm will adapt.

• Water: Water the roots of the lemon balm plant at least once a week. Allow the top inch of soil to completely dry before watering as overly moist soil can lead to root rot for lemon balm.
• Mulch: Applying a fine layer of mulch around the lemon balm plants will both prevent weeds from taking hold, slow-release nutrients as it breaks down, and regulate soil temperature and moisture.
• Control pests and disease: Like chamomile and oregano, lemon balm is an effective repellent and companion plant for the other crops in your vegetable garden, thanks to their aromatic essential oils, but the plant is vulnerable to disease. Humid air and cool evenings can prompt the appearance of powdery mildew. Good air circulation and regularly pruning will help prevent disease.
• Prune and shape: Unlike its mint siblings, lemon balm does not sprawl by sending horizontal rhizomes out into the surrounding soil. However, lemon balm does slowly increase in size as its small white flowers release seeds around its perimeter. Regular pruning will keep flowering buds in check, control how much space the lemon balm takes up, and contribute to the health and vigor of the leaves themselves. Lemon balm responds especially well to regular pruning, so feel free to aggressively cut stems back to a few inches, if the plant seems to be struggling to grow.
  

The best time to harvest lemon balm is right before the plant blossoms—this is when the oil that creates its signature flavor is at its most potent. You can harvest small amounts of lemon balm for use throughout its growing season by snapping off a few leaves at a time. For a bigger harvest, use shears to snip leaves from the center stem, in between side shoots, to continue encouraging bushy, full growth. Use lemon balm right away or store fresh leaves in an airtight plastic bag or container in the refrigerator.

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