
Lemon-scented, light green leaves appear in early spring and are followed in midsummer by spikes of tiny, pale-yellow flowers, which fade to white or lilac. This is an easy-to-grow foliage plant that is ideal for the front of a sunny border or herb garden. The flowers are attractive to bees, reflected in one of the plant's common names (bee balm), and the lemon-scented leaves are delicious in salads, soups and also great for tea making.
How to care for Melissa officinalis:
It self-seeds freely, so is best cut down after flowering unless you want a large clump.
Sowing instructions:
Surface-sow from late spring to late summer in seed trays and keep at around 20°C. Alternatively sow directly into a well-prepared border after all risk of frost has passed. Water regularly without waterlogging and thin out to 35cm intervals when large enough to handle.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
1m
Eventual spread:
0.45m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
-
This herb dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
Product options
Add to basket
Delivery options (pick your preferred option at checkout)
Goes well with
Salvia × sylvestris 'Mainacht'
sage ( syn. Salvia May Night )
From £9.99
View options
2 litre pot | £17.99 |
|
3 × 2 litre pots | £44.99 |
|
9cm pot | £9.99 |
|
3 × 9cm pots | £19.99 |
|
6 × 9cm pots | £34.99 |
|
View details

Lemon-scented, light green leaves appear in early spring and are followed in midsummer by spikes of tiny, pale-yellow flowers, which fade to white or lilac. This is an easy-to-grow foliage plant that is ideal for the front of a sunny border or herb garden. The flowers are attractive to bees, reflected in one of the plant's common names (bee balm), and the lemon-scented leaves are delicious in salads, soups and also great for tea making.
How to care for Melissa officinalis:
It self-seeds freely, so is best cut down after flowering unless you want a large clump.
Sowing instructions:
Surface-sow from late spring to late summer in seed trays and keep at around 20°C. Alternatively sow directly into a well-prepared border after all risk of frost has passed. Water regularly without waterlogging and thin out to 35cm intervals when large enough to handle.
Flowering period:
- Jan
- Feb
- Mar
- Apr
- May
- Jun
- Jul
- Aug
- Sep
- Oct
- Nov
- Dec
Eventual height:
1m
Eventual spread:
0.45m
Position:
Full sun
Rate of growth:
Fast-growing
Soil:
Moderately fertile, moist but well-drained soil, or peat-free general purpose compost
Hardiness:
Fully hardy
-
This herb dies back to below ground level each year in autumn, then fresh new growth appears again in spring.
Product options
Add to basket
Delivery options (pick your preferred option at checkout)
Goes well with
Salvia × sylvestris 'Mainacht'
sage ( syn. Salvia May Night )
From £9.99
View options
2 litre pot | £17.99 |
|
3 × 2 litre pots | £44.99 |
|
9cm pot | £9.99 |
|
3 × 9cm pots | £19.99 |
|
6 × 9cm pots | £34.99 |
|
View details