Why Does My Beebalm Not Blooming?

Is your beebalm planted in full sun?

Is the soil kept evenly moist - neither too dry nor too wet?

Do you feed your beebalm frequently with a fertilizer high in nitrogen?

Did you deadhead your beebalm throughout the blooming season to promote continued blooming?

Lack of sunlight is one reason for decreased blooming, as beebalm requires at least six hours of bright sunlight per day. Beebalm planted in a shady area is also more susceptible to root rot and fungal diseases such as powdery mildew.

Beebalm prefers evenly moist soil - neither too dry nor too wet. During dry weather, water generously once every week to 10 days, providing enough moisture to soak the root zone to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. A 2-inch layer of mulch, such as shredded bark, helps keep the soil moist and keeps weeds in check.

Like most herbs, beebalm is a light feeder. Too much fertilizer may produce lush foliage and few blooms, and also makes the plant more susceptible to powdery mildew. One light feeding with a small handful of a general-purpose garden fertilizer every spring is enough. Refer to the label for specific amounts, as rates of application vary among brands.

Deadhead beebalm throughout the blooming season to promote continued blooming. To deadhead, pinch blooms as soon as they begin to wilt, removing the bloom and the stem down to the next stem, bud, or leaf. Without deadheading, plants go to seed prematurely and blooming rapidly decreases.

After a few years, beebalm begins to lose its zest, and the center of the plant may die out. To keep beebalm looking its best and promote continued blooming, divide the plant every two to three years. To divide the plant, dig a clump as soon as new growth emerges in early spring. Discard the old, woody center of the plant and cut the remainder of the clump into smaller clumps, each with a healthy root system and at least two or three shoots. Replant the divided sections immediately.