Lemon Balm Seeds
Grow fresh, aromatic Lemon Balm with soft green leaves and a distinctive lemon fragrance. Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) is a hardy perennial culinary herb in the mint family, valued for its strongly lemon-scented foliage, easy-growing nature and versatility in herb gardens, containers and edible landscapes.
The fresh leaves have a light lemon flavour and aroma and can be harvested throughout the growing season for herbal teas, cold drinks, salads, desserts, fruit dishes and other culinary uses. Young shoot tips and fresh new leaves generally provide the best flavour and fragrance.
Lemon Balm develops into a bushy, leafy plant and produces small pale flowers that are rich in nectar and attractive to bees and other visiting pollinators. Once established, plants can be cut back to encourage fresh leafy growth and may return for many years in suitable conditions.
Seedmart Lemon Balm Seeds are available in packet and bulk quantities for home gardeners, herb growers, market gardeners and commercial customers throughout Australia.
Lemon Balm Seed Details
| Botanical name | Melissa officinalis |
|---|---|
| Common names | Lemon Balm, Common Balm, Balm Mint |
| Plant family | Lamiaceae |
| Plant type | Herbaceous perennial culinary herb |
| Growth habit | Bushy, clump-forming and spreading |
| Approximate height | Approximately 50–90 cm when mature, depending on conditions |
| Sowing depth | Surface sow or cover with only a very thin layer of fine soil or seed-raising mix |
| Germination | Approximately 7–21 days under suitable conditions |
| Plant spacing | Approximately 30–45 cm |
| Position | Full sun to partial shade |
| Soil | Adaptable to a range of soils; best in well-drained soil with reliable moisture during establishment |
| Availability | Retail packets and bulk quantities |
Why Grow Lemon Balm?
- Highly aromatic leaves with a fresh lemon fragrance and flavour.
- Hardy perennial herb that can return for many seasons once established.
- Suitable for herbal teas, drinks, salads, desserts and fresh culinary use.
- Grows successfully in full sun or partial shade.
- Well suited to herb gardens, raised beds and containers.
- Young leaves can be harvested repeatedly throughout the growing season.
- Small flowers provide nectar for bees and other visiting pollinators.
- Can be cut back to encourage a fresh flush of leafy growth.
- Suitable for home gardens and commercial herb production.
- Available in smaller packets and economical bulk quantities.
- Supplied by an Australian-owned seed company.
How to Grow Lemon Balm from Seed
Lemon Balm is easy to grow once established, but its small seeds should be sown shallowly. Some light assists germination, so avoid covering the seeds deeply. Plants can be started in seed trays or pots and transplanted later, or direct sown when outdoor conditions are suitable.
- Choose a suitable growing position.
Select a location in full sun to partial shade. Lemon Balm is adaptable, although light afternoon shade can be useful in particularly hot climates. - Prepare the soil or seed-raising mix.
Use a fine, well-drained seed-raising mix for containers or prepare garden soil to a fine texture. Avoid waterlogged sites. - Sow the Lemon Balm seeds shallowly.
Scatter the small seeds thinly across the surface and press gently into the growing medium. Cover only with a very thin layer of fine soil or seed-raising mix, as some light helps germination. - Keep consistently moist.
Mist or water gently so the seeds remain moist without becoming saturated or being washed into concentrated patches. - Allow time for germination.
Lemon Balm seedlings may begin emerging within approximately 7–21 days. Keep the seed tray in a warm, bright position and avoid allowing the surface to dry while germination is occurring. - Thin or transplant seedlings.
Once seedlings are large enough to handle, thin or transplant them to approximately 30–45 cm apart. Lemon Balm becomes a substantial bushy plant once established. - Water during establishment.
Keep newly planted seedlings evenly moist while their root systems develop. Established plants are comparatively hardy, but good drainage remains important. - Harvest young leaves regularly.
Pick fresh shoot tips and younger leaves as required. Regular harvesting encourages branching and provides a continuing supply of tender, aromatic foliage. - Cut back after flowering.
If plants become untidy or begin flowering heavily, cut them back to encourage fresh leafy regrowth. Cutting back before seed matures also helps reduce unwanted self-seeding.
What Does Lemon Balm Taste Like?
Lemon Balm has a fresh lemon fragrance and a mild citrus-like flavour with the soft herbal character typical of plants in the mint family. Its flavour is generally gentler than lemon verbena or citrus peel and works particularly well when used fresh.
Young leaves and shoot tips usually have the most attractive flavour and aroma. Older foliage can become coarser and less delicate, particularly after flowering.
Fresh Lemon Balm can be used in herbal teas, fruit salads, desserts, cold drinks, salads and other dishes where a mild lemon-herb flavour is desirable.
Growing Lemon Balm for Herbal Tea
Lemon Balm is widely grown as a tea herb because the fresh leaves release a distinctive lemon fragrance when crushed or steeped.
Harvest young leaves and tender shoot tips before or during the early stages of flowering for good aroma and flavour. Leaves can be used fresh or dried for later use.
For fresh Lemon Balm tea, the leaves are commonly steeped in hot water. The herb can also be combined with other culinary herbs such as mint or used to add fragrance to chilled drinks.
Regular harvesting helps encourage fresh growth, giving home gardeners and herb growers a continuing supply of leaves through the active growing season.
Lemon Balm vs Mint
Lemon Balm belongs to the same plant family as mint and shares several characteristics with common mint varieties, but the flavour and growth habits are different.
| Feature | Lemon Balm | Mint |
|---|---|---|
| Botanical group | Melissa officinalis | Mentha species and hybrids |
| Primary flavour | Fresh, mild lemon and herbal flavour | Characteristic cool mint flavour, varying by type |
| Growth habit | Bushy, clump-forming perennial that can self-seed | Often strongly spreading through underground stems |
| Typical uses | Herbal tea, drinks, salads, fruit and desserts | Tea, drinks, sauces, salads, desserts and savoury dishes |
| Flowers | Small pale flowers attractive to bees | Flower colour and form vary according to species and variety |
Growing Lemon Balm in Pots and Containers
Lemon Balm is well suited to container growing and using a pot can be particularly useful when you want to limit its spread.
Choose a reasonably large container with adequate drainage holes and fill it with quality potting mix. Position the pot in full sun or partial shade and water regularly while plants establish.
A container at least approximately 25 cm wide and deep provides a useful minimum size for an established plant, although larger containers provide more room for root development.
Container-grown plants may require more frequent watering than Lemon Balm planted directly in garden soil, especially during hot weather. Cut plants back when they become untidy or after flowering to encourage a fresh flush of leaves.
Lemon Balm and Bees
Lemon Balm produces small pale flowers during the warmer growing season. Although the flowers are not especially showy, they contain nectar and can attract honeybees and other visiting pollinating insects.
The connection with bees is reflected in the botanical name Melissa, which comes from a Greek word associated with the honeybee.
Gardeners who want to harvest primarily for foliage can cut plants back before or after flowering to encourage new leaves. Alternatively, allowing some stems to flower can provide an additional nectar source for pollinators.
How to Use Fresh Lemon Balm
Fresh Lemon Balm leaves have a mild lemon fragrance that makes them useful in both drinks and food.
- Steep fresh leaves to make herbal tea.
- Add to chilled water, lemonade and other cold drinks.
- Use young leaves in fruit salads and desserts.
- Add finely sliced leaves to fresh salads.
- Use as a fragrant garnish for cakes and desserts.
- Add to sauces and other dishes where a light lemon-herb flavour is suitable.
- Combine with mint and other culinary herbs.
- Harvest young shoot tips regularly for the freshest flavour.
For the strongest fresh fragrance, harvest shortly before use and handle the leaves gently.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Lemon Balm?
Lemon Balm is Melissa officinalis, a bushy herbaceous perennial in the mint family. It is grown for its strongly lemon-scented leaves and is widely used as a culinary and tea herb.
Is Lemon Balm a perennial?
Yes. Lemon Balm is a herbaceous perennial and can return for many years in suitable growing conditions.
When should I sow Lemon Balm seeds in Australia?
Lemon Balm can be started in seed trays during spring or sown outdoors once conditions are mild and suitable for seedling growth. In warmer parts of Australia, suitable sowing periods may extend beyond the traditional spring planting season.
How deep should I sow Lemon Balm seeds?
Lemon Balm seeds should be sown very shallowly. Press the seed onto the surface and cover with only a very thin layer of fine soil or seed-raising mix because some light helps germination.
How long do Lemon Balm seeds take to germinate?
Lemon Balm may germinate in approximately 7–21 days under suitable conditions. Keep the growing medium consistently moist and avoid burying the seed too deeply.
Does Lemon Balm need full sun?
No. Lemon Balm grows successfully in full sun or partial shade. Light shade can be useful in particularly hot conditions.
How far apart should Lemon Balm plants be spaced?
Approximately 30–45 cm between plants provides a practical starting spacing. Mature Lemon Balm forms a broad, leafy clump and needs room to develop.
How tall does Lemon Balm grow?
Established plants commonly grow approximately 50–90 cm tall, although final size varies with soil, climate, moisture and management.
Can Lemon Balm grow in pots?
Yes. Lemon Balm grows very well in pots and containers. Container growing is also useful for controlling its spread and reducing unwanted self-seeding around the garden.
Does Lemon Balm spread?
Yes. Lemon Balm can form expanding clumps and may self-seed freely if flowers are allowed to mature. Cutting plants back before seed develops can help limit unwanted spread.
Can Lemon Balm be harvested more than once?
Yes. The leaves and young shoot tips can be harvested repeatedly during active growth. Cutting back established plants can encourage a fresh flush of new foliage.
What does Lemon Balm taste like?
Lemon Balm has a mild, fresh citrus flavour with a distinctive lemon fragrance and soft herbal character.
Can you make tea from Lemon Balm?
Yes. Fresh or dried Lemon Balm leaves are commonly steeped in hot water to make herbal tea.
Can Lemon Balm be eaten fresh?
Yes. Young leaves can be used fresh in salads, fruit dishes, desserts, drinks and as a culinary garnish.
Does Lemon Balm attract bees?
Yes. Lemon Balm produces small nectar-rich flowers that can attract honeybees and other pollinating insects.
Should Lemon Balm be cut back?
Cutting Lemon Balm back after flowering can encourage a fresh flush of leafy growth. Cutting before mature seed forms can also help limit self-seeding.
Can Lemon Balm be grown indoors?
Lemon Balm can be grown in containers indoors if it receives sufficient light and adequate airflow, although established plants generally perform best with good natural light and room to develop.
Is Lemon Balm the same as mint?
No. Lemon Balm and mint both belong to the Lamiaceae family, but Lemon Balm is Melissa officinalis, while culinary mints belong mainly to the genus Mentha. Their flavours and growth habits are different.
Where can I buy Lemon Balm Seeds in Australia?
Seedmart supplies Lemon Balm Seeds in packet and bulk quantities for home gardeners, herb growers, market gardeners and businesses throughout Australia.
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