Have you ever noticed the sweet scent of lemon balm flowers? This herb, belonging to the mint family, has many uses that can make your garden and daily life better. It's great for making soothing teas and adding flavor to your cooking. Let's explore why lemon balm flower is a must-have in your garden and kitchen.
What is Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a perennial herb in the mint family (Lamiaceae). Its leaves are bright green and smell like lemon with a hint of mint. It can grow 24 to 36 inches tall, forming a green clump in gardens.
For centuries, bees have been linked to lemon balm. Its name, "Melissa," comes from the Greek word for "bee." People use it to flavor teas, dishes, and bouquets because of its pleasant smell.
Lemon balm seeds need light and a warm spot to grow. It's grown worldwide as an ornamental and to help bees. The scientific name, Melissa officinalis, shows its origins in Europe, Asia, and Iran.
This herb is found in many products like toothpaste, ice cream, and tea. It's often added to peppermint tea for its unique taste. The flavor comes from geraniol and other natural compounds.
European settlers brought lemon balm to North America. Thomas Jefferson even grew it in his Monticello gardens. Today, it's one of the top herbs for gardens, along with calendula and yarrow.
Lemon balm is part of the "mint" family and spreads easily by seed. It thrives in most areas and draws in bees and butterflies.
Growing Lemon Balm Flower
Lemon balm loves warm weather and partial shade. It does best in well-drained, fertile soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0. When planting, put the lemon balm plants 20 to 24 inches apart. Add aged compost or rich organic matter to the soil.
Water and feed the plants regularly to boost leaf production. Cutting lemon balm makes it grow back thicker. Harvest it when it's 6 to 8 inches tall. Cutting it back several times during the season helps control its spread.
- Lemon balm can grow between 24 to 36 inches tall, forming a green clump of medium-textured leaves within gardens.
- Lemon balm plants should be spaced 20 to 24 inches apart in areas with partial shade and well-drained soil with a pH of 6.5 to 7.0.
- Lemon balm plants should be harvested once they reach 6 to 8 inches tall, avoiding harvesting more than one-third of the plant at a time.
- Lemon balm will remain green during mild winters in zones 9 and 10, responding well to cutting and growing back thicker when stressed.
- Lemon balm does not spread via underground runners like mint but increases in size and sprouts from seeds developed from inconspicuous flowers.
- Lemon balm's flowers are not showy but produce viable seeds. Pruning the plant to a few inches during the growing season can prevent seed ripening.
Lemon balm is a bushy perennial herb with leaves that smell like lemon. It has creamy-white or pale purple flowers that bloom in summer. It grows well in sun or light shade. Sow seeds indoors from March to May, and wait about three weeks for seedlings to appear. Move young plants outside after the last frost.
| Lemon Balm Growing Characteristics | Details |
|---|---|
| Plant Height | Up to 80cm (32in) tall |
| Spacing | 18 to 24 inches apart |
| Sunlight Preference | Full sun to light shade |
| Propagation | Self-seeds readily |
| Cultivation | Divide plants every few years in autumn |
| Harvesting | Fresh leaves throughout summer, before flowering |
Lemon Balm Flower Uses
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a versatile herb with many uses. Its fresh leaves add a subtle lemon taste to teas, lemonades, and more. It's also known for its health benefits.
This herb helps with anxiety and sleep issues. Studies show it can improve sleep for 81% of people. Taking 600 mg of lemon balm can also boost mood and alertness.
Lemon balm fights bacteria and viruses, which is good for skin and treating herpes. It's shown to heal cold sores and might even fight HIV.
It's also used in potpourri and bath salts for its lovely scent. Lemon balm is a key herb for cooking and health.
Varieties of Lemon Balm
The classic Melissa officinalis is the most well-known type of lemon balm. But, new types have come out in recent years. 'Quedlinburger Niederliegende' is taller and has more essential oil. 'Lime Balm' claims to smell like lime, but some doubt this.
'Citronella' lemon balm is said to fight mildew better and keep mosquitoes away. There's also 'Aurea' lemon balm, known for its golden leaves.
Lemon balm can live for 20 to 30 years and grow up to 120 cm tall. It comes in two main types: common lemon balm (Melisssa officinalis) and cultivated lemon balm (M. officinalis ssp. altissima).
Other lemon balm varieties include:
- Melissa officinalis ssp. officinalis
- Melissa officinalis 'All Gold'
- Melissa officinalis 'Compacta'
- Melissa officinalis 'Variegata'
- Melissa officinalis 'Binsuga'
Lemon balm is a versatile herb used in cooking and medicine. Each type has its own special traits and uses.
Harvesting and Storing Lemon Balm Flower
Lemon balm leaves can be picked any time the plant is growing. But, it loses flavor when dried. For the best taste, use fresh leaves and add them at the end of cooking. You can also make herbal teas or add them to fruit drinks and salads.
To keep the lemon balm's scent, dry it for potpourri or other scented mixes. But, the flavor won't be as strong. Cut the stems and leaves down to the ground when the first frost comes. They can't handle frost.
- Harvest lemon balm before it flowers to prevent leaves from becoming bitter.
- Lemon balm can grow up to 4 feet (1.2 m) in a season if not pruned regularly.
- Refrigerate fresh lemon balm in water to keep it fresh for up to 2 weeks.
- Freeze lemon balm with olive oil in ice cube trays for later use in cooking or baking.
- Dry lemon balm in a dehydrator at 95-115°F (35-46°C) for 1 to 4 hours.
- Store dried lemon balm in a glass container at room temperature for up to a year.
Making lemon balm tea by steeping leaves in hot water creates a soothing drink. It can also flavor baked goods like cookies, scones, and cakes. Infusing lemon balm in oil for skincare products is another way to use it. Just put it in a jar with oil for 4 to 6 weeks.
| Harvesting Tip | Benefit |
|---|---|
| Harvesting lemon balm plant leaves in the morning before the heat of the day | Can help maximize potency |
| Harvesting just before the lemon balm plant flowers | Recommended for the best flavor and scent |
| Harvesting at different times | Can ensure plenty of new growth throughout the season |
| Only remove two-thirds of the vegetative growth of the lemon balm plant at any one time | Allows the plant to continue thriving |
Drying herbs like lemon balm can take a few days to three weeks, depending on your home's humidity. Drying in an oven takes about an hour, and the herbs should look shriveled and dark. When stored in an airtight container away from light and heat, dried lemon balm can last many months without losing its flavor or potency.
Conclusion
Lemon balm is a versatile and fragrant herb that adds value to any garden. It has bright green leaves and a lemon-mint scent. This plant is great for cooking and medicine, offering something for everyone.
Adding lemon balm to your garden is easy with the right care and cultivars. It helps with anxiety and sleep issues, and it fights germs. This herb is perfect for cooking, medicine, or just enjoying at home.
Exploring lemon balm can make your life better with its scent and healing properties. With some care, you can grow your own lemon balm. Enjoy the many benefits this amazing herb brings.
