nature of your neighborhood logo

Lemon balm

Lemon Balm, Melissa officinalis, is a perennial herb native to the Mediterranean, but now grows rapidly throughout the world. It’s a member of the mint family and because all mints have square stems, identifying this herb is as easy as crushing a leaf between your fingers. If the aroma released is sweet, lemony, and slightly minty, you can bet it’s lemon balm. Description from growforagecookferment.com

Home  >  Plant Guide  >  

Lemon balm

Lemon balm fast facts

Scientific Name

Melissa officinalis

Family

Lamiaceae

Garden Type

Container Appropriate, Edible Garden, Rain Garden Appropriate, Anywhere

Wildlife

Birds, Butterflies, Hummingbirds

Native Plant Region

No

Light needs

Filtered, Full Sun

Water Needs

Medium

Plant Type

Perennial

Bloom Color(s)

Height

0 – 2 feet

Width

0 – 1, 1 – 2 feet

Months in Bloom

May, June, July, August

Safe Beneath Power Lines?

Yes
Lemon balm

Have feedback on this plant listing?

We’d like to maintain accurate and robust plant listings. If you see information that is not correct or that could be added to improve the listing, please let us know. Or if you’d like to suggest a plant to add to our plant guide, you can use this form do so. Thank you!

Start Nurturing Your Neighborhood Today

humming bird at feeder in seattle
Biodiversity

7 Ways to Protect Wildlife in the City

The urban environment presents dangers to wildlife that they are not always adapted to overcome. Reducing urban hazards is an essential part of enhancing habitat in cities. After all, we do not want to lure wildlife into our neighborhoods only to have them fatally collide with our windows.

READ MORE
seedlings
Community

Capitol Hill Seed Library

Gardeners can check out seeds for free from the library to plant. Then after harvest, gardeners bring seeds back to the library for others to enjoy in future growing seasons.

READ MORE