{"id":303,"date":"2022-09-08T12:51:02","date_gmt":"2022-09-08T12:51:02","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/?post_type=product&p=303"},"modified":"2025-08-04T05:40:11","modified_gmt":"2025-08-04T05:40:11","slug":"lemon-balm","status":"publish","type":"product","link":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/product\/lemon-balm\/","title":{"rendered":"Lemon balm"},"content":{"rendered":"\r\n

Botanical Name:<\/strong>\u00a0Melissa officinalis<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Some other names:<\/strong>\u00a0Balm, Bee Balm, Honey plant, Cure all, Melissa<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

How to Grow It<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis<\/i>) is one of those herbs you plant once and \u2013 if you\u2019re not careful \u2013 you\u2019ll be sharing with the whole neighbourhood. It\u2019s a compact perennial<\/b> (around 50\u201370\u202fcm tall) that forms a dense, bushy clump with bright green, crinkled leaves<\/b> that release a fresh lemon scent when touched.<\/p>\r\n

It\u2019s happy in a wide range of climates<\/b>, thriving in temperate and subtropical areas<\/b>, and while it prefers mild weather, it will also manage in the tropics if given some shade in the hottest months. In cooler climates<\/b>, it may die back over winter but will bounce back vigorously<\/b> in spring.<\/p>\r\n

Lemon Balm grows best in full sun for maximum flavour<\/b>, but I find it produces bigger, softer leaves<\/b> in partial shade<\/b> \u2013 and those are the ones I pick for salads and tea. It enjoys regular watering<\/b> and rich, well-drained soil but will tolerate drought surprisingly well once established (the leaves just get a bit smaller and tougher).<\/p>\r\n

Propagation couldn\u2019t be simpler.<\/b> The easiest method is root division<\/b> \u2013 just dig up a clump, break it into pieces, and replant. Water for a few days and it\u2019ll take off again. It also strikes easily from cuttings<\/b> or grows well from seed<\/b>, though seed-grown plants can be slower to get going.<\/p>\r\n

Lemon Balm also does brilliantly in pots or containers<\/b>, but you\u2019ll need to divide and refresh<\/b> it every couple of years as it gets pot-bound.<\/p>\r\n

Tip:<\/b> Lemon Balm can<\/i> be invasive if you let it run wild. Plant it where it has room to spread \u2013 or keep it in pots or raised beds to stop it creeping into every corner of your garden.

<\/p>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

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Root divisions from Lemon Balm

<\/em><\/figcaption>\r\n<\/figure>\r\n\r\n\r\n\r\n

Herbal & Nutrient Value<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Lemon Balm is more than just a pretty, lemony herb \u2013 it\u2019s a proven calming plant<\/b>. The leaves contain volatile oils<\/b>(citral, citronellal, geraniol) that are scientifically linked to mild sedative effects<\/b>, making Lemon Balm famous as a stress reliever and sleep aid<\/b>. A cup of Lemon Balm tea really does help \u201ctake the edge off\u201d after a stressful day.<\/p>\r\n

Nutritionally, it\u2019s a source of Vitamins A, B, and C<\/b> plus trace minerals like calcium, magnesium, and potassium<\/b>. The oils also act as antioxidants<\/b>, helping protect the body from cellular stress.<\/p>\r\n

Traditionally, Lemon Balm has been used for anxiety, digestive upsets, headaches, and even cold sores<\/b> (the oils are mildly antiviral). Just crushing a handful of leaves and inhaling the scent has an instant calming effect \u2013 proof that this herb really lives up to its reputation as a \u201cfeel-good\u201d plant.<\/b><\/b><\/p>\r\n

Traditional & Home Remedies<\/strong><\/p>\r\n

Lemon Balm Tea<\/strong> \u2013 Steep 1\u20132 tsp fresh leaves in hot water for 10\u202fmin; drink for stress relief.
Cold Sore Balm<\/strong> \u2013 Infuse leaves in oil, mix with beeswax to make a salve.
Digestive Infusion<\/strong> \u2013 Lemon balm tea after meals for bloating.
Sleep Sachets<\/strong> \u2013 Dried leaves sewn into pillow sachets for calming aroma.
Cooling Compress<\/strong> \u2013 Strong tea soaked into cloth, applied to fevered forehead.

<\/p>\r\n

Using It in the Kitchen<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Fresh Lemon Balm leaves have a distinct citrus aroma<\/b> \u2013 bright and refreshing \u2013 but they can be a little chewy and fibrous<\/b> if eaten on their own. Used with other salad greens<\/b>, though, they add a zingy lemon lift<\/b> that surprises and delights guests.<\/p>\r\n

You can also throw a handful into hot dishes<\/b> (curries, soups, casseroles), but you\u2019ll need quite a bit for the flavour to carry through. Its best-known use by far<\/b> is as a herbal tea<\/b> \u2013 soothing, aromatic, and perfect for winding down.<\/p>\r\n

Storage tip:<\/b> Lemon Balm leaves wilt quickly after picking, so use them fresh when possible. You can also dry the leaves<\/b> (hang bunches upside down in a dark, airy spot) and store them in jars for year-round tea.<\/p>\r\n

Simple recipe ideas:<\/b>
– Simple Lemon Balm Tea<\/b> \u2013 steep a big handful of fresh leaves in boiled water for 5\u20137 minutes; drink hot or chilled.
– Citrus Herb Salad<\/b> \u2013 toss torn Lemon Balm leaves into a salad with rocket, cucumber, and orange slices.
– Lemon Balm Pesto<\/b> \u2013 blitz Lemon Balm, olive oil, garlic, and nuts for a fragrant twist on classic pesto.
– Herbed Butter<\/b> \u2013 chop Lemon Balm finely and mix with softened butter for a citrusy spread for fish, veg, or toast.
– Lemon Balm Lemonade<\/b> \u2013 bruise a handful of leaves in a jug, add lemon slices, honey, and cold water for a refreshing drink.

<\/p>\r\n

Other Uses<\/b><\/h3>\r\n

Lemon Balm is beloved by bees and pollinators<\/b> \u2013 in fact, its botanical name Melissa<\/i> means \u201choneybee.\u201d Plant a patch and you\u2019ll notice your garden buzzing with life.<\/p>\r\n

Beyond the kitchen, it\u2019s a beautiful companion plant<\/b> \u2013 its scent can confuse pests<\/b> like aphids and mosquitoes, while attracting the \u201cgood bugs\u201d you actually want. Some people even rub the leaves on their skin as a natural mosquito deterrent<\/b>.

<\/p>\r\n

Why it’s a survival plant<\/b>:<\/h3>\r\n

Perennial<\/b> \u2013 plant it once and it keeps coming back.
Versatile<\/b> \u2013 use it for tea, salads, cooking, or even as a medicinal herb.
Tough & self-sufficient<\/b> \u2013 grows in a wide range of soils and climates with almost no effort.<\/p>\r\n

If you only grow a few herbs, make sure this is one of them<\/b> \u2013 it\u2019s like having a living lemon-scented pharmacy right in the garden.<\/p>\r\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Lemon Balm is a hardy perennial herb with softly lemon-scented leaves that are as calming as they are fragrant. Easy to grow (sometimes too<\/i> easy), it\u2019s a must-have survival herb for its soothing tea, medicinal benefits, and sheer resilience in almost any garden.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"featured_media":132,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"","meta":{"om_disable_all_campaigns":false,"_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_active":false,"_monsterinsights_sitenote_note":"","_monsterinsights_sitenote_category":0,"neve_meta_sidebar":"","neve_meta_container":"","neve_meta_enable_content_width":"off","neve_meta_content_width":100,"neve_meta_title_alignment":"","neve_meta_author_avatar":"","neve_post_elements_order":"","neve_meta_disable_header":"","neve_meta_disable_footer":"","neve_meta_disable_title":""},"product_brand":[],"product_cat":[38,39,40,48,42,43,44,47],"product_tag":[],"class_list":{"0":"post-303","1":"product","2":"type-product","3":"status-publish","4":"has-post-thumbnail","6":"product_cat-cooler-climate-plants","7":"product_cat-drought-resistant-plants","8":"product_cat-high-nutrition-plants","9":"product_cat-medicinal-plants","10":"product_cat-pot-and-container-plants","11":"product_cat-salad-leaves","12":"product_cat-shade-loving-plants","13":"product_cat-tea-plants","15":"first","16":"instock","17":"shipping-taxable","18":"product-type-simple"},"aioseo_notices":[],"jetpack-related-posts":[],"jetpack_sharing_enabled":true,"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product\/303","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/product"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=303"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/132"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=303"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"product_brand","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_brand?post=303"},{"taxonomy":"product_cat","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_cat?post=303"},{"taxonomy":"product_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/survivalfoodplants.com.au\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/product_tag?post=303"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}