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| Identification |
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Genus
Melissa
Species
officinalis
Variety
Cultivar
Common names
lemon mint
lemon balm
bee balm
sweet balm
Family
LAMIACEAE
Specimen number
S11263
Data source
CrscntBlm;HtZn p141;MedPl p111;Frgnt p174
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| Life cycle |
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Life form
Terrestrial
Life cycle
Various
Life span
Annual cycle
Not applicable
Stature
Herb
Growth form
Not applicable
Growth habit
Various
Overall height
1' - 2'
Overall spread
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| Climate |
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Sunshine
Full sun to light shade
Water
Moist, well drained
Optimal soil texture
Various
Acceptable soil pH
Neutral
USDA hardiness
USDA zones 04a-09b
AHS heat zones
Heat zones 12-01
Sunset climate zones
Not classified
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| Garden |
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Suitable for gardens
yes
Nursery
Hiro's friend
Compost
no
Size at acquisition
4 inch pot
Garden location
Herb garden
Garden notes
Beekeepers can use this plant to attract bees. Melissa officinalis has mild spicy leaves. Lemon mint (also known as lemon balm, bee balm or sweet balm) can survive very cold winters with annual averages as low as -30� Fahrenheit. This plant needs summer days with high heat. Full sun to light shade is needed for this species to do its best. It likes moist, well drained soils.
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| Special qualities |
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Tolerates drought
no
Tolerates high humidity
no
Tolerates seaside conditions
no
Insect resistant
no
Disease resistant
no
Deer resistant
no
Best uses
Symbiosis
Attracts butterflies
no
Attracts hummingbirds
no
Autumn foliage
no
Colorful berries
no
Desirable qualities
Attracts bees
Other interest
Other interest color
Other interest period
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| Adverse factors |
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Common pests
Poisonous parts
Poisonous indications
Internal poison
no
Dermatologic poison
no
Livestock poison
no
Mechanical injury
no
Hay fever pollen
Hay fever season
Adverse qualities
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| Herbal medicine |
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Medicinal properties
antispasmodic
diaphoretic
carminative
antiviral
nerve tonic
antithyroid
relaxant
Medicinal parts
Aerial parts
Essential oil
Has medicinal uses
yes
Do not self-administer
no
Do no use if pregnant
no
Legally restricted
no
Toxicity precautions
Do not take essential oil internally without professional guidance.
Medicinal notes
Melissa officinalis is most commonly used cooked. Lemon mint (sometimes called lemon balm, bee balm or sweet balm) has too many possible beneficial herbal uses to fully enumerate. A few of its uses include: as an antispasmodic, as a diaphoretic, as a carminative and as an antiviral. See the medicinal properties section for the full list. The aerial parts and the essential oil are used in herbal preparations. Do not take essential oil internally without professional guidance.
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| Traditional uses |
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Parts used
Traditional uses
Contemporary uses
Fragrance
aromatic leaves. hot,dry,lemon scented
Fragrance parts
Leaves
Fragrance intensity
Mild
Fragrance category
Spicy
Dye parts
Dye color
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| Cultivation |
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Propagule
Division
Pollination method
Planting style
Crop spacing
Row spacing
Cold frame
Planting period
Harvesting period
Frost tolerance
Heat requirement
Fertilizer
Typical
Time to harvest
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| Nutrition |
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Is edible
yes
Culinary uses
Cooked
Nutritional value
Edible parts
Leaves
Description of edible parts
Flavor / texture
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| Horticulture |
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Horticulture notes
Melissa officinalis is typically propagated by division.
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| Herbarium |
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Tag needs printing
no
Collection notes
Flowers: Melissa officinalis has small flowers.
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