Lemon Balm Seeds (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon Balm is a Hardy Perennial.

It dies back in winter and returns larger every spring.

The Growth Habit: It belongs to the Mint family, so it is vigorous! However, unlike Peppermint which runs underground, Lemon Balm spreads by seeds and expanding clumps. It is well-behaved enough for a border but is fantastic in a pot if you want to keep it neat.

Top Tip: Bees are obsessed with this plant (Melissa is Greek for "Bee"). If you grow fruit trees or beans, plant Lemon Balm nearby to guarantee pollination.

This is one of the easiest herbs to start from seed.

Germination:
Sow indoors from March to May. Scatter seeds on the surface of moist compost. Do not cover them (or use a tiny dusting of vermiculite), as they need light to germinate. Keep warm (20°C). Germination takes 10-20 days.

Where to Sow:
It is unfussy! It grows well in sun or partial shade. It prefers soil that holds some moisture (unlike Thyme or Rosemary), making it a great choice for clay soils or slightly damper corners of the garden.

Care While Growing:
The Summer Chop: After it flowers in mid-summer, the plant can look a bit straggly. Cut it right back to the ground, water it well, and it will produce a fresh flush of bright green leaves for autumn harvesting.

Lemon Balm is green and leafy, so it pairs well with bright flowers or other tea herbs:

• 🍬 Peppermint: The Tea Garden. Plant Lemon Balm and Peppermint in separate pots side-by-side. They are the two essential flavours for herbal infusions and look lush and verdant together on a patio.
• 🍓 Strawberries: The Fruit Bowl. Lemon Balm attracts pollinators which helps increase your strawberry yield. Plus, the flavours (lemon and strawberry) are a match made in heaven.

Sow in spring. Harvest leaves from late spring to the first frost.