Lemon balm is a popular and versatile herb, often used to add a touch of citrus flavor to various dishes. Its leaves provide freshness to everything from salads and soups to tea and sweets. Apart from its culinary uses, lemon balm is also known for its medicinal properties. It is an aesthetically pleasing addition to home gardens. Its bright green, serrated leaves and small white or pale yellow flowers contribute to the visual appeal of herb gardens. Lemon balm is a relatively easy herb to grow. Whether in home gardens, pots, or grow bags, it adapts well to a variety of growing conditions, thriving in both full sun and partial shade. In today’s article, we will discuss about lemon balm herbs including how to grow lemon balm from seeds at home, growing from cuttings, planting seeds, and caring for lemon balm plants in pots.
Information To Grow Lemon Balm Herb at Home
- Common Name: Lemon Balm, Sweet balm, balm mint, garden balm, and Melissa
- Scientific Name: Melissa officinalis
- Plant Height: 12 to 24 inches
- Growing Season: Spring and Fall
- Soil: Well-draining, sandy, and fertile soil
- Water Needs: Moderate watering
- Sunlight: Full sun to partial shade
- Germination Temperature: 18-21°C
- Germination Days: 5 to 14 days
- Level of Growing: Easy
- Harvesting Time: Throughout the season
When to Grow Lemon Balm At Home
Lemon balm prefers warm climates, making spring and fall the ideal time to begin growing it. Whether you’re growing from seed or cuttings, the time when there’s no longer any danger of frost is perfect for these sun-loving herbs. If growing lemon balm indoors you can plant them year round.
(Read More: Top 10 Herbs To Plant In The Winter Season In India…)
Selecting A Planting Location
Choose a planting location that receives adequate sunlight. Lemon balm enjoys full sun but can tolerate partial shade. If it is being grown directly in the garden, an area with well-drained soil is necessary to prevent waterlogging of the roots. When planting lemon balm herb indoors, keep the pot where it gets adequate sunlight for at least 5-6 hours every day.
Choosing the Best Potting Soil Mix
Lemon balm prefers well-drained, slightly sandy, and fertile soil. Amending the soil with compost or well-rotted manure increases its nutrient content, creating an ideal environment for your herb to thrive. Additionally, you can also use the ready-to-use-potting soil mix for growing lemon balm in pots to avoid the hassle of selecting soil.
The Right Size of Pots or Grow Bags
If you’re choosing to grow lemon balm in pots, choose containers or grow bags that provide enough room for the roots to spread. Generally, a pot at least 9 inches deep and 12-18 inches wide is best for growing lemon balm herbs. Adequate drainage holes in the pot are essential to prevent overwatering problems. Some of the grow bag or pot sizes mentioned below are suitable for growing lemon balm herb plants:
(Read More: Optimal Grow Bag Sizes for Vegetables, Herbs, and Fruits…)
How To Grow Lemon Balm At Home
Now, let us learn how to grow lemon balm herb from seeds or cuttings at home, and practical steps to growing lemon balm in pots. Whether you choose to start from seeds or cuttings, these methods ensure a bountiful harvest of this aromatic herb.
A) How To Grow Lemon Balm At Home From Seeds:
- Start Sowing Seeds: You can start sowing seeds both indoors in a seedling tray or small pots or directly in the garden or in the final pots. Sprinkle lemon balm seeds in a seedling tray or pot, covering them lightly with soil.
- Germination: Maintain a constant temperature of 18-21°C for germination. Keep the soil moist and place the tray or pot in a sunny location indoors or outdoors. Lemon balm seeds usually take 5-14 days to germinate.
- Transplanting: If started using the seedling method or indoors, transplant them into larger pots or your outdoor garden space once the plants have developed a few pairs of true leaves.
(Read More: How To Grow Oregano Herb At Home: A Comprehensive Guide…)
B) How To Grow Lemon Balm From Cuttings:
- Choose healthy cuttings: Choose healthy lemon balm stems with no signs of disease. Apart from this, take cuttings before the plant blooms. Cut 3 -6-inch sections just below a leaf node.
- Remove lower leaves: Remove leaves from the lower half of the cutting, leaving only a few leaves on top.
- Rooting hormone (optional): Although optional, placing cuttings in rooting hormone can increase the chances of successful rooting.
- Planting: Insert the cutting into a well-drained potting mix, making sure at least one leaf node is below the soil. Water gently.
- Root development: Place the pot in a warm, bright location. Roots should develop within a few weeks, and you can transplant the new plants once they are well established.
How To Caring For Lemon Balm Plants
Lemon balm is a relatively low-maintenance herb, but a little plant care ensures optimal growth and flavor.
- Watering: Lemon balm plants require moderate watering, so do not water too much as this can quickly cause the plant to die and deteriorate.
- Sunlight: The lemon balm plant thrives in full sunlight; however, it also grows in partial shade and if you are growing indoors, the plants should get at least 4-6 hours of light.
- Fertilizer: Lemon balm does not require much fertilizer. It is good to use a balanced, all-purpose organic fertilizer such as vermicompost, cow dung manure, or Bio NPK fertilizer during its growing season.
- Pruning: To keep lemon balm plants in good shape and encourage new growth, prune your plants every few months. Regularly remove any dead or damaged parts of the plants or cut off the ends to promote plant growth.
- Common Pests and Diseases: Lemon balm plants are not affected by pests and diseases, but some pests like aphids and spider mites attack the lemon balm plant. Lemon balm is infected with powdery mildew disease. Neem oil can help eliminate insects or pests.
(Read More: Organic Fertilizers: Types, and Benefits for Gardening….)
Harvesting Lemon Balm Leaves
You can harvest lemon balm throughout the season once the plant reaches a height of about 6-12 inches. Cut off young lemon balm leaves to encourage plant growth. Pinch the flower buds quickly when they appear to prevent them from bolting.
FAQs
Can lemon balm be grown indoors?
Yes, lemon balm can be grown indoors, especially in pots placed in sunny windows.
How often should I water lemon balm?
Water lemon balm plants when the top inch of soil feels dry. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Can I use lemon balm for tea?
Absolutely! Lemon balm leaves make a delightful, lemony herbal tea. Cut fresh leaves, steep, and enjoy.
(Read More: Planting Guide: Growing Organic Herbs Indoors…)
We hope you learned a lot from our guide to growing, caring for, and harvesting lemon balm. We shared all the methods of growing or planting lemon balm from seeds, or cuttings at home as well as its care and harvesting methods. Share this article with your family and friends and leave a comment about the post.
