Am I Taking Good Care Of My Lemon Balm?

Does your lemon balm grows in a place where it can get at least 6 hours of sunlight daily?

Is your lemon balm planted in well-drained soil?

Are you making sure that the soil where lemon balm is growing is slightly moist at all times?

Have you been fertilizing your lemon balm?

Are you making sure your lemon balm isn't spreading uncontrollably?

Have you been cutting back your lemon balm in the fall?

Are you using garden pruners while harvesting?

Are you making sure your lemon balm is free of pests and diseases?

Lemon balms love full sun, but they will tolerate partial shade. If you are growing lemon balm in a container, consider placing it in a spot with lots of morning sunlight and afternoon shade.

Lemon balms grow best in well-drained, sandy loam. However, lemon balm will grow in almost any soil but not very wet soil. It prefers a soil pH of 6.7 to 7.3.

Lemon balm requires regular, even watering. It grows best in slightly moist soil. Once established lemon balm tolerates drought.

Lemon balm does not require extra feeding. You can side-dress plants with aged compost during the growing season.

Lemon balm spreads by underground roots. To keep lemon balm from becoming invasive, set it in the garden in a bottomless container that will keep the roots in place. Remove unwanted plants before they become established.

Cut back lemon balm in fall leaving just 2 inches of stem. The plant may freeze back to the ground in winter but will re-grow from underground roots and renew itself in spring.

Snip leaves and sprigs with a garden pruner. The leaves bruise easily so handle them with care. Older, lower leaves have the strongest aroma. Leaves for drying are best harvested before the plant flowers in summer, usually about the time lower leaves begin to yellow.

Good job! You are taking good care of your lemon balm.

Lemon balms don't have serious pest problems, but they are susceptible to some diseases like verticillium wilt, mint rust, and powdery mildew. To prevent these fungal diseases, keep plants sufficiently spaced to allow for good air circulation. Spray plants with compost tea during the season.