{"product_id":"lemon-balm","title":"Lemon Balm","description":"\u003cdiv class=\"product-description\"\u003e\n\u003ch1 style=\"text-align: center;\"\u003eLemon Balm Seeds (Melissa officinalis)\u003c\/h1\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIf 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eWhile 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cbr\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003eRead More\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"color: #005bd3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e🌿 Understanding the Plant\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 10px 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLemon Balm is a \u003cstrong\u003eHardy Perennial\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIt dies back in winter and returns larger every spring.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Growth Habit:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eTop Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"color: #005bd3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e🌱 Growing Guide: How to Sow and Grow\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 10px 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is one of the easiest herbs to start from seed.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGermination:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eSow indoors from March to May. Scatter seeds on the surface of moist compost. \u003cstrong\u003eDo not cover them\u003c\/strong\u003e (or use a tiny dusting of vermiculite), as they need light to germinate. Keep warm (20°C). Germination takes 10-20 days.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere to Sow:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eIt is unfussy! It grows well in \u003cstrong\u003esun or partial shade\u003c\/strong\u003e. 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCare While Growing:\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eThe Summer Chop:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"color: #005bd3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e📋 Plant Specifications\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 10px 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: collapse; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLatin Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\u003cem\u003eMelissa officinalis\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCommon Name\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eLemon Balm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHardiness\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eH7\u003c\/strong\u003e (Very Hardy)\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eLight Required\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eSun \/ Part Shade ⛅\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHeight\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e↕️ 60cm - 80cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpread\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e↔️ 45cm\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e🌱 45cm apart\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eGreat for\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003e🫖 Herbal Tea\u003cbr\u003e🐝 Bee Magnet\u003cbr\u003e🍰 Cake Decorating\u003cbr\u003e💆♀️ Relaxation\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd; background-color: #f9f9f9;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeed Count\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 10px; border: 1px solid #ddd;\"\u003eApprox. 200 seeds per packet\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"color: #005bd3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e🤝 Perfect Garden Companions\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 10px 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLemon Balm is green and leafy, so it pairs well with bright flowers or other tea herbs:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul style=\"list-style-type: none; padding-left: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 1.3em;\"\u003e🍬\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cstrong\u003e\u003ca style=\"color: #005bd3;\" title=\"Peppermint Seeds\" href=\"\/products\/mint-peppermint-seeds\"\u003ePeppermint:\u003c\/a\u003e\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli style=\"margin-bottom: 15px;\"\u003e\n\u003cspan style=\"font-size: 1.3em;\"\u003e🍓\u003c\/span\u003e \u003cstrong\u003eStrawberries:\u003c\/strong\u003e 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.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003chr style=\"border: 0; border-top: 1px solid #eee; margin: 0;\"\u003e\n\u003cdetails\u003e\n\u003csummary style=\"color: #005bd3; cursor: pointer; font-weight: bold; font-size: 1.1em; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e📅 Sowing \u0026amp; Harvesting Calendar\u003c\/summary\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"padding: 10px 0; margin-bottom: 10px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cem\u003eSow in spring. Harvest leaves from late spring to the first frost.\u003c\/em\u003e\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"overflow-x: auto; -webkit-overflow-scrolling: touch;\"\u003e\n\u003ctable style=\"width: 100%; border-collapse: separate; border-spacing: 0; border: 1px solid #ddd; font-size: 0.9em; min-width: 300px;\"\u003e\n\u003cthead\u003e\n\u003ctr style=\"background-color: #f4f4f4;\"\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: left; position: sticky; left: 0; background-color: #f4f4f4; z-index: 10; max-width: 100px;\"\u003eMonth\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eJ\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eF\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eM\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eA\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eM\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eJ\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eJ\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eA\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eS\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eO\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eN\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003cth style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; min-width: 25px;\"\u003eD\u003c\/th\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/thead\u003e\n\u003ctbody\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; position: sticky; left: 0; background-color: #fff; z-index: 10; font-size: 0.9em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSow Indoors\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #d4edda;\"\u003e🟢\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #d4edda;\"\u003e🟢\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #d4edda;\"\u003e🟢\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003ctr\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; position: sticky; left: 0; background-color: #fff; z-index: 10; font-size: 0.9em;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvest\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #f8d7da;\"\u003e✂️\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #f8d7da;\"\u003e✂️\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #f8d7da;\"\u003e✂️\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #f8d7da;\"\u003e✂️\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #f8d7da;\"\u003e✂️\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center; background-color: #f8d7da;\"\u003e✂️\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; border-right: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003ctd style=\"padding: 8px; border-bottom: 1px solid #ddd; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003c\/td\u003e\n\u003c\/tr\u003e\n\u003c\/tbody\u003e\n\u003c\/table\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/details\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"background-color: #fff3cd; border: 1px solid #ffeeba; padding: 15px; border-radius: 5px; margin-top: 20px;\"\u003e\n\u003cp style=\"margin: 0px; text-align: center;\"\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e⚠️ Self-Seeding Note\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003cbr\u003eLemon 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!).\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003cdiv style=\"margin-top: 30px; text-align: center; padding: 20px; background-color: #f4f9f4; border-radius: 8px; border: 1px solid #dce7dc;\"\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🏆 Officially Recognised Excellence\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eThis is an ancient medicinal and culinary herb. It is listed on the \u003cstrong\u003eRHS Plants for Pollinators\u003c\/strong\u003e list and is one of the most valuable nectar sources for bees in the herb garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e\n\u003c\/div\u003e","brand":"Bishy Barnabees Cottage Garden Ltd","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":53242147701063,"sku":"LEM-BAL","price":2.1,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0859\/7051\/8343\/files\/2048800514e8d09cb9c0c1e_upscale.jpg?v=1769705177","url":"https:\/\/naturalgrower.co.uk\/products\/lemon-balm","provider":"Natural Grower","version":"1.0","type":"link"}