Melissa officinalis ( Lemon Balm ) is a perennial herb that is native to Europe and grown primarily for its herbal applications and in the flavouring of food and drinks. Lemon Balm is a small, hardy plant that has a wide range folk remedies that can assist with anxiety, stress and indigestion. It is also one of the best plants to grow for attracting bees into the garden.
Suitable for Temperate and Sub-Tropical climates.
Lemon Balm was once called Bee Leaf due to its strong influence on the busy little pollinators. It is widely known now as just Lemon Balm but the Genus Melissa is a Greek translation for honeybee.
The leaves of Lemon Balm are used as a herb, in teas, flavouring, essential oils and poultices. The plant is also commercially grown to attract bees for honey production and to produce oils for perfumes.
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Growth
Melissa officinalis is a perennial herbaceous plant that grows to a maximum height of 1 metre (3 feet) and spreads no wider than 30cm (12 inches). Lemon Balm plants tend to grow bushy and upright with heart-shaped leaves that have a rough, veined surface. They can reach a length of up to 8 cm (3 inches) and have a mild lemon scent. During summer, white or pale pink flowers of up to 5cm (2 inches) appear and are swiftly pollinated by bees.
Commercial plants have been found to live for up to ten years, although in production they are often replaced after five years to allow for the soil to rejuvenate.
Depending on seasonal conditions, leaves of the Lemon Balm can be ready to harvest from two months but can often take three months to ensure the young plants are damaged to much.
Note: Germination instructions can be found in the ‘Germination Instructions Tab’ below. Upon purchase you will receive these detailed instructions via email so that you have a permanent record.
FAMILY:
Lamiaceae
CLIMATE:
Temperate and Sub-Tropical
TEMPERATURE RANGE:
10 to 30°C / 50 to 86°F
SOIL TYPE:
Well-draining.
LOCATION:
Part-Shade or Full Sun
HEIGHT:
Up to 1 metre (3 feet)
WIDTH:
Up to 30cm (12 inches)
pH:
6.0-7.5
GROWTH TYPE:
Perennial.
WATER REQUIREMENTS:
Low-Medium
POLLINATION:
Pollinated by bees.
MATURITY:
3-6 months.
GERMINATION RATES:
75-85%
GERMINATION TIME:
14-21 days.
GERMINATION DIFFICULTY:
Reasonably Easy
SEEDS PER GRAM:
Approximately 2000
MEDICINAL QUALITIES:
Yes
WEED POTENTIAL:
Yes
EDIBLE:
Yes
SEED STORAGE & VIABILITY:
Cold Storage at 4°C (Fridge) up to 2 years.
FACTS ABOUT MELISSA OFFICINALIS (Lemon Balm)
Lemon Balm’s use can be historically dated to over 2000 years ago through the recordings of the Greeks and Romans. The Historia Plantarum, written by Theophrastus in 300BC named the plant ‘bee-leaf’. Lemon Balm was formally introduced into Europe during the 7th century and was widely used throughout the Middle Ages.
English botanist John Gerard considered Lemon Balm to be good at attracting honeybees while Janet Dampney and Elizabeth Pomeroy suggested ‘bees were thought never to leave a garden in which Lemon Balm was grown.’ The first colonists of North America introduced the popular herb to the continent where former US President Thomas Jefferson used the herb in his designs for the Gardens of Monticello.
Lemon Balm was once dubbed the “elixir of life”, and has been used as a medicine and a flavouring for food and drinks. When the leaves are rubbed or crushed they exude a fresh lemon scented.
In modern times, Lemon Balm has become a popular essential oil and is widely used as a herbal tea. It is a common home remedy for insomnia, anxiety, stress and indigestion. For more information on the health benefits of Melissa officinalis click here.
