Is it easy to grow lemon bee balm?
Growing lemon mint is easy, as its needs are low. It makes a great addition to a meadow or pollinator garden. What is Lemon Bee Balm? Monarda citriodora is a member of the mint family. Some other common names for lemon bee balm plants are purple horsemint, lemon mint, plains horsemint, and horsemint.
What is the difference between Lemon balm&lemon mint?
Lemon balm and lemon mint are different plants in the mint family. Both have a citrus scent, but they vary in their growth requirements and uses. Lemon balm is a lemon-scented, sprawling herb that forms a clump up to 2 feet high and 3 feet wide, although it's often clipped with a pruning tool to a more compact form.
What does lemon balm leaf taste like?
It makes sense that lemon balm leaf has so much in common with mint, as it belongs to the same family of herbs, Lamiaceae. However, it still has its unique characteristics. Take a look at some of them below. As mentioned above, lemon balm has a bright, citrusy flavor which complements its more subtle minty taste.
How do you divide lemon balm plants?
Lemon balm spreads by underground runners. Dig up the plant every few years and divide its roots, and keep its above-ground portions clipped back. Keep lemon mint or lemon balm in a container if spreading runners are a concern.
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Is lemon balm as invasive as mint?
Lemon balm is part of the mint family, and spreads just like mint and become very invasive.
How do you keep lemon balm from spreading?
Lemon balm, like mint spreads rapidly (becomes weedy) and can take over an herb bed. Growing plants in containers helps control this problem. If planted in the soil, harvest the leaves regularly, remove the flowers before they set seed, and dig around the plant edges to reduce root spreading.
Does lemon balm grow mint?
Lemon Balm is an Excellent Permaculture Plant The brassicas in your life will thank you, as lemon balm makes the perfect companion plant. Keep in mind that like mint, lemon balm grows incredibly fast in rich, well drained, moist soil that receives lots of sun. In the right conditions, it can even become massive.
What does lemon balm attract?
When lemon balm flowers, it brings in bees and butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. (Check out other plants I recommend to attract pollinators here.)
Will lemon balm choke out other plants?
It chokes out other weeds very well. I have found one thing that seems to be even more aggressive in its spread than lemon balm and that is those wild orange ... read more.
Does lemon balm come back every year?
Container Growing Lemon Balm Winter growing: 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.
Should lemon balm be cut back?
Keep plants well watered during dry spells in summer, and cut back after flowering to encourage a fresh flush of leaves. Lemon balm will self-seed readily, so if you don't want more plants, remember to remove the faded flowers before they set seed.
Does lemon balm repel pests?
Lemon Balm Crush the fresh leaves and rub them directly on the skin, especially around ankles, arms, and other areas most exposed and vulnerable to bug bites. The lemon scent, which repels the bugs, is powerful. It rubs off very well onto the skin. Lemon balm repels mosquitoes and gnats.
Is lemon balm toxic to dogs?
Lemon balm, known scientifically as Melissa officinalis, is a non-toxic herb that can be used on dogs, cats, and even horses. As a supplement for your dog, lemon balm has many benefits that may help with several different conditions.
What grows well next to lemon balm?
Companion Plants for Lemon Balm Companion plants include dill, basil, squash, broccoli, cabbage family, cauliflower, hollyhocks, melons, angelica, nasturtiums, squash, tomatoes. Its beautiful flowers attract beneficial pollinators, and the leaf's strong aroma deter pests such as cabbage moths, mosquitoes, and gnats.
Why you need lemon balm in your garden?
Lemon balm companion planting is a real boon in the garden, as this perennial herb attracts bees and other beneficial pollinators, while the strong, citrusy odor deters several unwelcome pests, including gnats and mosquitoes. Some gardeners even claim that lemon balm helps keep weeds in check.
Does lemon balm repel ants?
Lemon Balm This member of the mint family emits a clean lemon scent. Mosquitoes don't like it. Neither do flies and ants.
Does lemon balm spread by runners?
Lemon balm does not spread by underground runners like mint. It will increase in size, though, making a bigger clump in the garden each season and sprouting from seeds that develop from inconspicuous flowers.
Is lemon balm toxic to dogs?
Lemon balm, known scientifically as Melissa officinalis, is a non-toxic herb that can be used on dogs, cats, and even horses. As a supplement for your dog, lemon balm has many benefits that may help with several different conditions.
Does lemon balm attract bees?
Lemon balm is a great plant to use as a border to a garden because not only will it emit its fragrant lemony odor when brushed, but it will attract bees into the garden.
Can you plant lemon balm and lavender together?
All plants can benefit from lavender, especially chamomile, lettuce, brassicas, onions, tomatoes, oregano, thyme, marjoram, sage, rosemary, basil, lemon balm, squash, olive and fruit trees.
Summary
Lemon balm and Mint have similar origins. They are both from the mint family. Yet, lemon balm has a lemony taste with mild mint undertones, while Mint is sweet with a menthol feel.
Uses of Lemon Balm and Mint in the Kitchen
Every spice brings its unique taste and flavor to your dish. Yet, lemon balm and mint can substitute for each other.
Frequently Asked Questions
If you want to switch the flavor of your meal, you can substitute both spices for each other.
In This Article
While lemon balm ( Melissa officinalis ) and lemon mint ( Monarda citriodora ) are both members of the extensive mint family (Lamiaceae), they have distinct differences. Lemon mint is one of the many species in the bee balm genus ( Monarda spp.) and lemon balm and its cultivars form their own genus ( Melissa spp. ).
Lemon Balm Basics
Lemon balm is a lemon-scented, sprawling herb that forms a clump up to 2 feet high and 3 feet wide, although it's often clipped with a pruning tool to a more compact form. Beginning early in the summer, its crinkly, ovate foliage emerges first, followed by spiky, pale-yellow flowers that last late into the summer.
Lemon Mint Basics
One of the more compact members of the bee balm group, lemon mint seldom grows taller than 30 inches or broader than 24 inches. Its shaggy-headed, pastel purple or pink flowers appear from early to late summer.
Similarities in the Plants
Like a botanical Venn diagram, lemon mint and lemon balm can flourish in some of the same conditions. Both herbs grow best in either full sun or partial shade, and both can take a bit of neglect.
Differences in the Plants
Although lemon balm and lemon mint thrive in moderate climates, their full ranges of tolerance to both weather and soil differ. Lemon balm can withstand cold winters yet wilts in hot climates.
What is Lemon Bee Balm?
Monarda citriodora is a member of the mint family. Some other common names for lemon bee balm plants are purple horsemint, lemon mint, plains horsemint, and horsemint.
Lemon Bee Balm vs. Lemon Balm
Lemon bee balm is often confused with lemon balm, another member of the mint family. Lemon balm is Melissa officinalis and is hardier, growing in slightly colder zones of the U.S. It grows in a large clump up to 3 feet (91 cm.) wide and 2 feet tall (61 cm.). The flowers are spiky, pale yellow clusters.
Lemon Bee Balm Uses
There are several good reasons to grow lemon bee balm plants in your garden. Many gardeners choose this plant for its ability to attract pollinators and for its delightful, lemony aroma. As an herb, it also has some culinary uses. The leaves add a lemon flavor to cooked foods, salads, and teas. They can also be used in potpourri mixes.
Lemon Bee Balm Care
Growing lemon mint is easy. This herb tolerates poor and rocky soils and actually prefers soil that is sandy or with limestone. It will need full sun to thrive, although it can tolerate a little shade. Once established, watering requirements are low. Lemon bee balm can get by in dry soils.
Appearance
Taste
Nutritional Value
Lifespan
Harvesting
Where to Buy Lemon Balm and Mint?
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Summary of Lemon Balm vs Mint
- Lemon balm and mint are perennial herbs that are similar in terms of their leaf texture, leaf color, and stem type. They are also rich sources of antioxidants because of their flavonoid content. Both are being used in the culinary, medicine, and cosmetics industries. They are also harvested easily by pinching or cutting with the use of scissors. In...
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