Lemon Balm
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Description
Lemon Balm Seeds (Melissa officinalis)
If you brush past this plant, you are instantly hit with a cloud of pure sherbet-lemon fragrance. Lemon Balm is a vigorous, leafy herb that has been grown in cottage gardens for centuries, prized for its ability to "gladden the heart" and calm the nerves.
While it looks unassuming—resembling a bright green, crinkly mint—it is a powerhouse of flavour. It makes the finest fresh herbal tea (far superior to dried teabags), adds a citrus kick to fruit salads, and is the secret ingredient in many summer cordials. It is incredibly easy to grow, thriving in spots where sun-loving Mediterranean herbs might struggle.
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🌿 Understanding the Plant
Lemon Balm is a Hardy Perennial.
It dies back in winter and returns larger every spring.
The Growth Habit: It belongs to the Mint family, so it is vigorous! However, unlike Peppermint which runs underground, Lemon Balm spreads by seeds and expanding clumps. It is well-behaved enough for a border but is fantastic in a pot if you want to keep it neat.
Top Tip: Bees are obsessed with this plant (Melissa is Greek for "Bee"). If you grow fruit trees or beans, plant Lemon Balm nearby to guarantee pollination.
🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow
This is one of the easiest herbs to start from seed.
Germination:
Sow indoors from March to May. Scatter seeds on the surface of moist compost. Do not cover them (or use a tiny dusting of vermiculite), as they need light to germinate. Keep warm (20°C). Germination takes 10-20 days.
Where to Sow:
It is unfussy! It grows well in sun or partial shade. It prefers soil that holds some moisture (unlike Thyme or Rosemary), making it a great choice for clay soils or slightly damper corners of the garden.
Care While Growing:
The Summer Chop: After it flowers in mid-summer, the plant can look a bit straggly. Cut it right back to the ground, water it well, and it will produce a fresh flush of bright green leaves for autumn harvesting.
📋 Plant Specifications
| Latin Name | Melissa officinalis |
| Common Name | Lemon Balm |
| Hardiness | H7 (Very Hardy) |
| Light Required | Sun / Part Shade ⛅ |
| Height | ↕️ 60cm - 80cm |
| Spread | ↔️ 45cm |
| Spacing | 🌱 45cm apart |
| Great for | 🫖 Herbal Tea 🐝 Bee Magnet 🍰 Cake Decorating 💆♀️ Relaxation |
| Seed Count | Approx. 200 seeds per packet |
🤝 Perfect Garden Companions
Lemon Balm is green and leafy, so it pairs well with bright flowers or other tea herbs:
- 🍬 Peppermint: The Tea Garden. Plant Lemon Balm and Peppermint in separate pots side-by-side. They are the two essential flavours for herbal infusions and look lush and verdant together on a patio.
- 🍓 Strawberries: The Fruit Bowl. Lemon Balm attracts pollinators which helps increase your strawberry yield. Plus, the flavours (lemon and strawberry) are a match made in heaven.
📅 Sowing & Harvesting Calendar
Sow in spring. Harvest leaves from late spring to the first frost.
| Month | J | F | M | A | M | J | J | A | S | O | N | D |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Sow Indoors | 🟢 | 🟢 | 🟢 | |||||||||
| Harvest | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ | ✂️ |
⚠️ Self-Seeding Note
Lemon Balm produces thousands of seeds. Remove the flower spikes before they turn brown to stop it popping up all over your garden next year (unless you want a Lemon Balm forest!).
🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence
This is an ancient medicinal and culinary herb. It is listed on the RHS Plants for Pollinators list and is one of the most valuable nectar sources for bees in the herb garden.
Delivery & Returns
Delivery:
Delivery to mainland UK is calculated at checkout. For all other areas and large orders please ask for a quote. Orders will be sent by express next day delivery (DPD). They will be dispatched on a next working day service, with the exception of Ireland where it may take two days. Please allow up to 48 hours for delivery in the UK as the couriers may have already been and collected on the day you send your order in. Smaller orders for pouches, pockets, bags and pots may be sent via Royal Mail delivery. Please ensure you supply an email address and a mobile so you can be updated about your delivery. Should you have any problems with your delivery, please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk.Special Deliveries
Saturday or weekday morning deliveries can be arranged, but there will be a surcharge. Please contact us to request a price for either of these delivery services. If you need a parcel sending outside of the UK, please contact us for a quote.Returns:
If you are not completely happy with any product that you have ordered from us, you may return it to us in its original condition any time within 14 calendar days from the date of dispatch. Products must be returned in their original condition. Please contact us at sales@naturalgrower.co.uk to arrange a return. If you return a product by post, you will need to pay the costs of returning the product to us and obtain proof of posting.
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Gardening organically is a more affordable and long term alternative to using chemical fertilisers. Natural Grower products eliminate waste because the nutrients are slowly released to the plants as they need them. Over the long-term you save money because your soil health naturally improves, which in turn produces healthier, stronger, disease resistant plants. Chemical products may cost less financially in the short term, but they don’t provide any long-term benefits and the damage they do to the natural eco-system in the soil is costly.
Slow release for sustained growth
Organic fertilisers are broken down slowly by organisms in the soil to produce a more measured, consistent, natural release of nutrients. This results in uniform growth with strong stems and leaves, unlike chemical fertilisers which provide a sudden boost resulting in tall lanky plants. Stronger plants are more resistant to disease, and with the presence of mycorrizhal fungi to strengthen the roots, the plants, soil and fungi all work together long-term to create the perfect natural eco-system.
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The organic matter in Natural Grower will help keep your soil or compost in optimum condition, retain moisture over the dry summer months and improve the health and structure of your soil. The presence of natural Mycorrhizal fungi in our products enhances root growth, enabling plants to extract nutrients and absorb water more efficiently from the soil or compost. By using our products you will be supporting and enhancing the natural eco-system in the soil.
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