Lemon balm is a member of the mint family (Labiatae) and it has the family's characteristic square stems and small, two-lipped white flowers, which bloom in bunches throughout the summer.
Its genus name "Melissa" is Greek for bee and the species name "officinalis" indicates that it is a "official" medicinal herb. It has a strong association with bees and it is considered a must have in food gardens (and even orchards) that depend on bees for pollination. Herbalist John Gerard (1597) wrote, "It is profitably planted in gardens where bees are kept, because they are delighted with this herbe above all other."
This is not surprising says my botanist friend Dave. He says that the mints have evolved to be a perfect match for bees. Proof of this can be found in filling any mint flower with wax. When hardened this closely resembles the proboscis of a bee.
Lemon balm is a hardy, easy to grow, perennial that prefers moist rich soil and partial or dappled shade. Although it's a member of the mint family, lemon balm is not as invasive and it makes a rather attractive ground cover that always buzz with bees and fills the air with its gorgeous lemon scent when disturbed. The above ground parts tends to die down in winter so it's a good idea to cut back the old dead branches in spring to encourage new growth.
It can be grown from seeds sown in spring but it is easier to grow it from cuttings in spring or to divide the plants in autumn. Take cuttings about 8cm long from actively growing branches. Remove the leaves from the lower half and stick about one third of the cutting in sand. Keep it in a shady place and make sure it never dries out.
It will set roots within a week or two. Carefully remove it from the sand, disturbing the roots as little as possible, and plant it into a small pot filled with a good potting soil. Pinch out the growing tip to encourage a bushy plant and once it has filled the pot transplant it into your garden or it repot into its final container. Fertilize every 6-8 weeks with a natural fertilizer at half the recommended strength.
Plants are available from most reliable herb growers and also from most garden centers. (In Gauteng you can call Bouquet Garni on 012 808 1044.)
Lemon balm is reasonably pest and disease free but like all mints it may attract red spider mite during warm, dry spells and it may develop rust in humid conditions. The best remedy in both cases is early detection. Then cut the plants back to soil level and destroy all the cut material. Treat the plant with a natural remedy (your local garden centre will be able to assist.) When the plant sprout again, inspect and repeat the whole treatment if necessary.
The best quality lemon balm is harvested from young vigorous plants. For this reason it is good practice to replace your plants every 3 to 4 years. The leaves can be picked at any time and like most herbs it benefits from being harvested often, otherwise it can get leggy. When you pick a sprig make sure that you leave two growing points on the stem for re-growth. For medicinal purposes the leaves are harvested just before the plant starts flowering. The entire plant is cut back to about 10cm above ground level and air dried in a cool, dry, dark place. Although lemon balm loses much of its fragrance when dried it does not lose much of its medicinal properties.
For more information regarding herb growing see Master Herb Gardening
