Botanical Name: Melissa officinalis
Some other names: Balm, Bee Balm, Honey plant, Cure all, Melissa
How to Grow It
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is one of those herbs you plant once and – if you’re not careful – you’ll be sharing with the whole neighbourhood. It’s a compact perennial (around 50–70 cm tall) that forms a dense, bushy clump with bright green, crinkled leaves that release a fresh lemon scent when touched.
It’s happy in a wide range of climates, thriving in temperate and subtropical areas, and while it prefers mild weather, it will also manage in the tropics if given some shade in the hottest months. In cooler climates, it may die back over winter but will bounce back vigorously in spring.
Lemon Balm grows best in full sun for maximum flavour, but I find it produces bigger, softer leaves in partial shade – and those are the ones I pick for salads and tea. It enjoys regular watering and rich, well-drained soil but will tolerate drought surprisingly well once established (the leaves just get a bit smaller and tougher).
Propagation couldn’t be simpler. The easiest method is root division – just dig up a clump, break it into pieces, and replant. Water for a few days and it’ll take off again. It also strikes easily from cuttings or grows well from seed, though seed-grown plants can be slower to get going.
Lemon Balm also does brilliantly in pots or containers, but you’ll need to divide and refresh it every couple of years as it gets pot-bound.
Tip: Lemon Balm can be invasive if you let it run wild. Plant it where it has room to spread – or keep it in pots or raised beds to stop it creeping into every corner of your garden.
Herbal & Nutrient Value
Lemon Balm is more than just a pretty, lemony herb – it’s a proven calming plant. The leaves contain volatile oils(citral, citronellal, geraniol) that are scientifically linked to mild sedative effects, making Lemon Balm famous as a stress reliever and sleep aid. A cup of Lemon Balm tea really does help “take the edge off” after a stressful day.
Nutritionally, it’s a source of Vitamins A, B, and C plus trace minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium. The oils also act as antioxidants, helping protect the body from cellular stress.
Traditionally, Lemon Balm has been used for anxiety, digestive upsets, headaches, and even cold sores (the oils are mildly antiviral). Just crushing a handful of leaves and inhaling the scent has an instant calming effect – proof that this herb really lives up to its reputation as a “feel-good” plant.
Traditional & Home Remedies
Lemon Balm Tea – Steep 1–2 tsp fresh leaves in hot water for 10 min; drink for stress relief.
Cold Sore Balm – Infuse leaves in oil, mix with beeswax to make a salve.
Digestive Infusion – Lemon balm tea after meals for bloating.
Sleep Sachets – Dried leaves sewn into pillow sachets for calming aroma.
Cooling Compress – Strong tea soaked into cloth, applied to fevered forehead.
Using It in the Kitchen
Fresh Lemon Balm leaves have a distinct citrus aroma – bright and refreshing – but they can be a little chewy and fibrous if eaten on their own. Used with other salad greens, though, they add a zingy lemon lift that surprises and delights guests.
You can also throw a handful into hot dishes (curries, soups, casseroles), but you’ll need quite a bit for the flavour to carry through. Its best-known use by far is as a herbal tea – soothing, aromatic, and perfect for winding down.
Storage tip: Lemon Balm leaves wilt quickly after picking, so use them fresh when possible. You can also dry the leaves (hang bunches upside down in a dark, airy spot) and store them in jars for year-round tea.
Simple recipe ideas:
– Simple Lemon Balm Tea – steep a big handful of fresh leaves in boiled water for 5–7 minutes; drink hot or chilled.
– Citrus Herb Salad – toss torn Lemon Balm leaves into a salad with rocket, cucumber, and orange slices.
– Lemon Balm Pesto – blitz Lemon Balm, olive oil, garlic, and nuts for a fragrant twist on classic pesto.
– Herbed Butter – chop Lemon Balm finely and mix with softened butter for a citrusy spread for fish, veg, or toast.
– Lemon Balm Lemonade – bruise a handful of leaves in a jug, add lemon slices, honey, and cold water for a refreshing drink.
Other Uses
Lemon Balm is beloved by bees and pollinators – in fact, its botanical name Melissa means “honeybee.” Plant a patch and you’ll notice your garden buzzing with life.
Beyond the kitchen, it’s a beautiful companion plant – its scent can confuse pests like aphids and mosquitoes, while attracting the “good bugs” you actually want. Some people even rub the leaves on their skin as a natural mosquito deterrent.
Why it’s a survival plant:
Perennial – plant it once and it keeps coming back.
Versatile – use it for tea, salads, cooking, or even as a medicinal herb.
Tough & self-sufficient – grows in a wide range of soils and climates with almost no effort.
If you only grow a few herbs, make sure this is one of them – it’s like having a living lemon-scented pharmacy right in the garden.
