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Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm)
1 hour care
per year
per year
1m
Max height
Max height
0.5m
Max spread
Max spread
2-5 years
To maturity
To maturity
Plant details
Botanical name
Melissa officinalis
Other names
Lemon balm, Sweet Mary, Tea balm, Honey plant, Pimentary, Sweet balm, Barm leaf, Bee balm, Dropsywort, Balm, Balm leaf, Balm oil plant
Genus
Melissa Melissa
Species
M. officinalis - M. officinalis is a bushy perennial with ovate, lemon-scented leaves, and creamy-white or pale purple flowers spikes in summer.
Melissa officinalis is: Deciduous
Fragrance
Leaves are scented - hence the common name Lemon balm - and can be used to flavour refreshing, cool drinks.
Habit
Bushy, Rounded
Flower
Pale-purple, White in Summer
Foliage
Bright-green in Spring; Bright-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Leafhoppers Leafhoppers
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Cut back after flowering to encourage fresh leaf production and to prevent unwanted self-seeding.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
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Where to grow
Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Wildlife
Cultivation
Melissa officinalis will grow happily in any soil or aspect. Dead-head to avoid self-seeding.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
Companion plants
Botanical name
Melissa officinalis
Other names
Lemon balm, Sweet Mary, Tea balm, Honey plant, Pimentary, Sweet balm, Barm leaf, Bee balm, Dropsywort, Balm, Balm leaf, Balm oil plant
Genus
Melissa Melissa
Species
M. officinalis - M. officinalis is a bushy perennial with ovate, lemon-scented leaves, and creamy-white or pale purple flowers spikes in summer.
Foliage
Deciduous
Fragrance
Leaves are scented - hence the common name Lemon balm - and can be used to flavour refreshing, cool drinks.
Habit
Bushy, Rounded
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Colour
Flower
Pale-purple, White in Summer
Foliage
Bright-green in Spring; Bright-green in Summer
How to care
Watch out for
Specific pests
Diseases
Generally disease-free.
General care
Pruning
Cut back after flowering to encourage fresh leaf production and to prevent unwanted self-seeding.
Propagation methods
Division, Seed
Defra's Risk register #1
Plant name
Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm)
Common pest name
tomato thrips
Scientific pest name
Ceratothripoides brunneus
Type
Insect
Current status in UK
Absent
Likelihood to spread to UK (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
Impact (1 is very low - 5 is very high)
3
General biosecurity comments
Thrips present in Africa; the Caribbean and parts of Asia; frequently intercepted in the UK. Can cause significant damage to tomatoes and other crops in countries where it is present. Europe wide PRA will consider its potential to establish and cause damage.
About this section
Our plants are under greater threat than ever before. There is increasing movement of plants and other material traded from an increasing variety of sources. This increases the chances of exotic pests arriving with imported goods and travellers, as well as by natural means. Shoot is working with Defra to help members to do their part in preventing the introduction and spread of invasive risks.
Traveling or importing plants? Please read "Don't risk it" advice here
Suspected outbreak? Click here for contact details to report to the relevant authority.
Date updated: 7th March 2019 For more information visit: https://planthealthportal.defra.gov.uk/
Monthly care advice
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Where to grow
Melissa officinalis (Lemon balm) will reach a height of 1m and a spread of 0.5m after 2-5 years.
Suggested uses
Beds and borders, Bees (attract & feed bees), Cottage/Informal, Flavouring food and drinks, Wildlife
Cultivation
Melissa officinalis will grow happily in any soil or aspect. Dead-head to avoid self-seeding.
Soil type
Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types)
Soil drainage
Moist but well-drained, Well-drained
Soil pH
Acid, Alkaline, Neutral
Light
Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun
Aspect
North, South, East, West
Exposure
Exposed, Sheltered
UK hardiness Note: We are working to update our ratings. Thanks for your patience.
Hardy (H4)
USDA zones
Zone 7, Zone 6, Zone 5, Zone 4, Zone 3
In order to add a note on this plant, please add this plant to your plant lists.
| This plant likes... | Garden match | |
| Soil types: | Chalky, Clay, Loamy, Sandy (will tolerate most soil types) | Tell us... |
| Soil drainage: | Moist but well-drained, Well-drained | Tell us... |
| Soil pH: | Acid, Alkaline, Neutral | Tell us... |
| Light: | Partial Shade, Full Shade, Full Sun | Tell us... |
| Aspect: | North, South, East, West | Tell us... |
| Exposure: | Exposed, Sheltered | Tell us... |
| Hardiness: | Hardy (H4) | Tell us... |
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