Texas Herb Gardening – Lemon Balm

Fragrant Member of the Mint Family Makes a Relaxing Tea

Aug 31, 2009

Lemon Balm, also known as Melissa officinalis, grows well in shade. It is a hardy perennial that can be used to make a calming tea or to add lemon flavor to desserts.

Texas herb gardeners can be challenged to find plants that grow well in shade and also have redeeming qualities. Lemon balm is one of those plants. Lemon balm needs well drained soil that is mulched to retain moisture. Spring is the best time to enjoy lemon balm as it gets leggy in summer. It is a generally hardy plant that can be quite aggressive. It attracts bees and butterflies when the summer flowers appear.

Lemon Balm’s species name is Melissa officinalis—Melissa being Greek for honey bee. However, Lemon Balm should not confused with Bee Balm, a different plant that prefers sun and has pink flowers. A Texas herb gardener will enjoy walking through lemon balm and gentling rubbing a leaf to release the strong lemon scent.

Growing Lemon Balm in Texas

Lemon balm can be grown from cuttings or transplants. It spreads over available space and self-seeds, so many Texas herb gardeners prefer to keep it in a large container. The plant may die back in cold weather—especially in hardiness zones 4–7. However it will return in spring from its roots. Morning sun with afternoon shade is an excellent choice for this herb.

A mature lemon balm plant will be 12–30 inches tall with a spread of up to 18 inches. Little special care is required to plant or feed lemon balm. If using transplants, place the root ball into friable soil with small doses of fertilizer. Lemon balm will get most of the nutrients it needs from the composted soil, so additional fertilizer may not be needed. Some Texas gardeners have found that adding fertilizer is actually detrimental to fragrance and should be avoided.

Cutting back lemon balm after summer flowers may encourage a second growing season in the fall. In winter, cut back the dead branches and add mulch over the plant. Spider mites may attract lemon balm and should be dealt with using a cold water spray or mitricide.

Lemon balm leaves may be harvested at any time for use in a relaxing, flavorful tea. Although the leaves may be dried for later use, the drying process moves much of its fragrance and flavor.

Culinary and Medicinal Uses of Lemon Balm

A wonderful tea that relaxes the spirit and calms digestion can be made from an infusion of lemon balm. Combining with pepper mint and lemon verbena adds complexity to the taste and complements the medicinal properties. If using lemon balm in cold tea, bruise the leaves first to release the flavor.

Lemon balm contains vitamin C and has been used in the past to treat headaches, itching, sore throat, and respiratory problems. Chopped lemon balm leaves may be in marinades or vinaigrettes. Lemon balm can be used in place of lemon for cookies, herb butter, and quick breads.

Many Texas herb gardeners consider lemon balm a staple of their gardens. Because of the ease of rooting cuttings, it is also a great plant to share at swap meets. Once lemon balm is established in your landscape, it will be available to offer its scent and succor every year.

The copyright of the article Texas Herb Gardening – Lemon Balm in Herb Gardens is owned by Barbara Brown. Permission to republish Texas Herb Gardening – Lemon Balm in print or online must be granted by the author in writing.