Learn How to Grow Lemon Balm at Home

Understanding Lemon Balm: What It Is and Why You Should Grow It

Lemon balm is a leafy herb that belongs to the mint family. Its scientific name is Melissa officinalis, and it has been used for centuries in gardens and kitchens across the world. The plant gets its name from the strong lemon scent its leaves release when you brush against them or crush them in your hand. Unlike actual lemons, lemon balm does not produce fruit—instead, you harvest the leaves for cooking, tea, and other uses.

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Growing lemon balm at home offers several practical advantages. The plant is hardy and forgiving, meaning it tolerates mistakes that might kill more delicate herbs. A single plant can produce enough leaves for regular harvesting throughout the growing season, which runs from spring through fall in most climates. If you buy lemon balm at a grocery store or farmers market, a small bundle can cost between $2 and $5. Growing your own plant means you can harvest fresh leaves whenever you need them, potentially saving money over time.

Lemon balm grows well in containers on a windowsill, in a small garden bed, or even in a larger outdoor garden. The plant typically reaches heights of 12 to 24 inches, making it suitable for various growing spaces. You can use fresh lemon balm leaves in teas, salads, desserts, fish dishes, and beverages. Some people dry the leaves to store them for winter use. The herb also attracts bees and other pollinators, which can benefit other plants in your garden.

Research shows that lemon balm contains compounds such as rosmarinic acid and citral, which give it its distinctive lemon flavor and aroma. Historical records indicate that lemon balm has been cultivated since at least the Middle Ages in European monasteries. Today, it remains popular in home gardens because it requires minimal care once established and produces leaves consistently throughout the season.

Practical Takeaway: Lemon balm is a low-maintenance herb that produces abundant leaves for culinary use. Before you start growing, decide whether you want to use fresh leaves immediately or dry them for storage, as this may influence how often you harvest and how much space you dedicate to the plant.

Choosing the Right Location and Light Conditions

Lemon balm performs best in locations that receive at least four to six hours of sunlight daily. More sunlight generally produces stronger flavor in the leaves and bushier plant growth. If you live in a very hot climate where temperatures regularly exceed 90 degrees Fahrenheit, afternoon shade can prevent the plant from wilting during the hottest part of the day. In cooler climates, full sun—six to eight hours of direct sunlight—encourages the strongest growth.

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Indoors, you can grow lemon balm on a sunny windowsill, particularly one that faces south or west. A south-facing window typically provides the most consistent light throughout the day. If your home does not have bright windows, you can use a basic grow light positioned 6 to 12 inches above the plant, running it for 12 to 16 hours per day. This setup works well for apartment dwellers or anyone with limited outdoor space. Many gardeners use inexpensive LED grow lights, which use less electricity than older fluorescent bulbs.

The location you choose also affects temperature and wind exposure. Lemon balm prefers temperatures between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid placing plants in locations with strong, constant wind, as this dries out the leaves and can stress the plant. If growing outdoors, a spot against a south-facing wall or fence can provide warmth and wind protection. Container-grown plants offer flexibility—you can move them to different locations throughout the season to optimize light and temperature.

Consider proximity to your kitchen or dining area. Growing lemon balm near where you prepare food makes harvesting convenient and encourages regular use of the herb. Many home gardeners place a pot on a kitchen windowsill for this reason. If you grow lemon balm in a garden bed, choose a location you pass by regularly so you remember to harvest and maintain the plant.

Practical Takeaway: Select a location that receives four to eight hours of sunlight daily, depending on your climate. If natural light is limited, a basic grow light can supplement sunlight for indoor growing. Place the plant where you will see it regularly, as this helps you remember to harvest and care for it.

Soil Preparation and Container Selection

Lemon balm grows in a wide range of soil types, but it prefers soil that drains well and is not waterlogged. Soil that stays constantly wet can cause root rot, which kills the plant. You can test your soil's drainage by filling a hole with water and observing how quickly it drains. If water remains in the hole after one hour, your soil drains slowly and may need improvement through the addition of organic matter.

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For container growing, use a commercial potting soil mix designed for herbs or general-purpose plants. These mixes typically contain peat moss, coconut coir, perlite, and other ingredients that provide good drainage while retaining some moisture. Avoid using garden soil in containers, as it compacts over time and does not drain well in a pot. A standard potting mix costs $5 to $15 for a bag that fills multiple containers. One bag can be enough for several small to medium pots.

For outdoor garden beds, incorporate compost or aged manure into existing soil before planting. Most sources recommend mixing in 2 to 4 inches of compost and working it into the top 8 to 10 inches of soil. This improves drainage and adds nutrients. If your soil is very heavy clay, adding compost becomes even more important. The process takes one to two hours for a small bed and costs little if you make your own compost.

Container size matters for plant growth and root development. A pot that is 6 to 8 inches in diameter works well for a single lemon balm plant. Larger pots, 10 to 12 inches in diameter, allow the plant to grow bigger and fuller. Ensure pots have drainage holes in the bottom, as these prevent water from pooling around the roots. Terracotta pots allow soil to dry faster than plastic pots, which can be helpful if you tend to water frequently. Plastic pots are less expensive and retain moisture longer, which suits people who water less often.

Practical Takeaway: Use well-draining potting soil for containers and amend garden soil with compost. Choose a pot at least 6 inches in diameter with drainage holes. This foundation prevents the most common problem affecting new lemon balm growers: waterlogged soil and root rot.

Planting Lemon Balm and Initial Care

You can start lemon balm from seeds, cuttings, or nursery seedlings. Seeds are the most economical option, costing $2 to $4 per packet. One packet typically contains 100 to 200 seeds, far more than a home gardener needs for personal use. Seeds should be started indoors 6 to 8 weeks before your last spring frost. Press seeds lightly onto the surface of moist seed-starting mix and do not cover them completely, as they need light to germinate. Keep the soil moist but not waterlogged, and provide warmth and light. Seeds typically sprout within 7 to 14 days at temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit.

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If you prefer faster results, buy seedlings or starter plants from a nursery. These cost $3 to $8 per plant and are ready to grow immediately. This option works well for people who do not want to manage seeds indoors. You can also start lemon balm from cuttings taken from an established plant—cut 4-inch sections of stem, remove lower leaves, place the cutting in water or moist soil, and wait for roots to develop, which typically takes two to three weeks.

When transplanting seedlings or rooted cuttings into larger containers or garden beds, handle the young plants gently. Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball, place the plant at the same depth it was growing previously (not deeper), and fill in with soil. Pat the soil down gently and water thoroughly. A newly planted lemon balm should not be harvested for at least four weeks, allowing the root system to establish. During this period, water when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.