Like mint, lemon balm is quite hardy and can be overwintered as far north as hardiness zones 4 and 5 . It is always a good idea to mulch plants year-round, but winter mulch is of the utmost importance. ... Lemon balm will grow almost anywhere in the garden and isn't particularly fussy about the quality of soil it grows in.
Does bee balm come back every year?
The bee balm flower has an open, daisy-like shape, with tubular petals in shades of red, pink, purple, and white. Bee balm plants are perennial, coming back year after year to add cheerful color to your garden.
Is Lemon bee balm a perennial?
Monarda citriodora (Lemon Bee Balm) is a short-lived perennial , often grown as an annual or biennial, boasting showy clusters of scented, two-lipped, tubular, lavender to pink flowers resting upon white or lavender bracts. ... If watered, Lemon Bee Balm will continue flowering through the end of summer and even into fall.
Is Lemon bee balm invasive?
Bee balm propagates by rhizomes, or runners, that spread under the ground to produce new shoots. So if you are asking the question, “is bee balm invasive,” the answer would be yes , under suitable conditions. ... Luckily, bee balm is very forgiving.
Do lemon balm plants come back every year?
Get to Know Lemon Balm. Type of plant: Lemon balm is a herbaceous upright perennial. Growing season: Lemon balm grows best in cool weather. In freezing temperatures, it will die back to the ground then regrow from the roots in spring .
Is bee balm poisonous to dogs?
Bee balm is not poisonous for humans . In fact, eating the leaves will not harm a cat, dog or other animals in any way. Despite not being poisonous to animals, eating parts of any plant can cause digestive upset to an animal.
What is a good companion plant for bee balm?
Hummingbirds and Hummingbird moths are both frequent visitors to Bee Balm. Favorite Companion Plants: As there are so many colors of bee balm, it can work successfully in almost any sunny garden setting with a variety of plants such as Shasta daisy or garden phlox .
Does lemon balm plant keep mosquitoes away?
Lemon Balm contains high levels of a compound called citronellal, which gives it its lemony aroma and flavor that bugs find so unpleasant. ... Lemon balm repels mosquitoes and gnats .
What do you do with lemon balm in the winter?
The best way to overwinter Lemon Balm is to cut it right back to the ground and store in a cool room until the spring . You can keep it in a dark room. Water it a little bit maybe once a month to prevent it from completely drying out. Bring the plant to a bright place again in March and start watering it regularly.
Should I cut back lemon balm?
Keep plants well watered during dry spells in summer, and cut back after flowering to encourage a fresh flush of leaves. Lemon balm will self-seed readily, so if you don't want more plants, remember to remove the faded flowers before they set seed.
How do I stop monarda from spreading?
- Use Rhizome Barriers. This is a pretty straightforward strategy: prevent the spread of the rhizomes by physically blocking their underground travel. ...
- Plan Isolated Placements. ...
- Grow in Containers. ...
- Practice Regular Smothering. ...
- Create Divisions, Cut, or Pull Plants on an Ongoing Basis.
Why do my bee balms keep dying?
Hot temperatures coupled with low humidity or dry conditions can cause drooping and wilting in many plants, including bee balm. Heat causes the leaves to lose water through transpiration, especially in dry conditions. ... Temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit can be a problem, and at 95 degrees the flowers can die.
Why did my bee balm not come back?
The most common problem is a lack of sun . Bee balm thrives in full sun, and most varieties need 6 to 8 hours of sunlight per day in order to bloom well. Bee balm that doesn't get enough sunlight is also often leggy looking. ... Another common problem with bee balm is improper water or humidity.
Will lemon balm take over my garden?
If not carefully controlled, lemon balm can quickly become invasive in the garden . Often, people mistakenly think that lemon balm is invasive due to its roots, like its cousins peppermint and spearmint, but in fact it's the seeds of the lemon balm plant that cause this herb to suddenly take over a garden.
How quickly does lemon balm work?
It may take up to one month to see your desired results but lemon balm is strong herbal ally that will support you as often as you take advantage of its benefits.
Can I plant lemon balm and mint together?
Mints like spearmint, catmint, peppermint, orange mint, and lemon balm can be grown together as long as they have adequate space to spread out .
