bee balm plant leaves

Can you use bee balm leaves?

Fresh bee balm leaves can be added to pesto, and the flower petals make a pretty and aromatic garnish. They can be used in salads, to make an herbal butter, or in homemade ice cream or a cream cheese spread. Bee balm petals are also a lovely way to dress up fresh fruit or a fruit salad like this one.

Do bee balm plants need a lot of sun?

Bee balms perform best in full sun. While plants tolerate partial shade, they won't flower as heavily and are more susceptible to powdery mildew. They also prefer moist, well-drained soils.

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 bee balm poisonous to dogs?

Bee balm is a very aromatic addition to your perennial shade garden, and one which is safe for dogs. Bee balm plants have bright green foliage and flowers that range from pale pink to scarlet red. ... This plant is non-toxic to dogs.

Is bee balm invasive?

Bee balm propagates by rhizomes, or runners, that spread under the ground to produce new shoots. ... This means your bee balm will eventually be far from where you planted it. 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.

Why did my bee balm die?

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.

How do you keep bee balm blooming?

How to Grow Bee Balm

Keep soil evenly moist through the growing season.
Add mulch around the plants to preserve the moisture in the soil and control weeds.
Deadhead faded blooms to encourage the plant to re-bloom in late summer.
After the first frost in the fall, cut stems back to about 2 inches above the soil.

Is bee balm poisonous?

Edible Parts

The leaves of wild bee balm are edible raw or cooked. They are also used as a flavoring in salads and cooked foods. The flowers make an attractive edible garnish in salads.

Does bee balm like sun or shade?

Culture: Prefers a well-drained site and a rich soil; will not perform well if planted in wet soils. Plant in full sun to partial shade (in warm climates). In partial shade beebalm tends to spread more readily.

What can I plant next to bee balm?

Bee balm adds color and height to an herb garden and should be planted near the center of the garden surrounded by your preference of shorter herbs grown as annuals, such as basil, thyme, chives and parsley.

Where does bee balm grow best?

How to Grow Bee Balm

Light: Bee balm does best in full sun. Though it will grow in part shade, it tends to stretch and become leggy over time.
Soil: Bee balm does best in evenly moist soil rich in organic matter. ...
Spacing: Plants should be spaced 18-24 inches apart.
Planting: Plant bee balm in the spring or early fall.

How do you harvest bee balm for tea?

When & How To Harvest Bee Balm For Tea

The best time to harvest bee balm for making tea is in the late spring, or early summer before the flowers start to fade. Simply clip or pinch healthy leaves and flowers from the plant. Make sure you only use the healthy green ones though.

Does bee balm need to be cut back?

Once a stem has finished flowering, trim it back down to the ground or pinch it off. This will encourage the plant to send up another blossoming stem. In the fall or winter, you should prune bee balm after it has died back.

Is lemon balm and bee balm the same?

BEE BALM and Lemon balm are two distinct herbs, alike in many ways. Both belong to Labiatae, the mint family. Both herbs are hardy perennials, easy to grow, attract bees, yet repel pests. ... The pretty generic name, Melissa, meaning “bee” in Greek, belongs to lemon balm.

Is Lavender poisonous to dogs?

Lavender, the plant, does contain a small amount of a compound called linalool, which is toxic to both dogs and cats. The linalool is found in such small concentrations, however, that this is rarely an issue. Problems arise only if a dog ingests a very large quantity of lavender.

What plants aren't poisonous to dogs?

Below is a list of 10 house plants that are non-toxic to dogs and cats.

Spider Plant. Chlorophytum comosum, commonly referred to as Spider Plants, are safe for dogs and probably one of the most widely recognized houseplants. ...
Tillandsia. ...
Boston Ferns. ...
Staghorn Fern. ...
Maidenhair Fern. ...
Prayer Plant. ...
Cat Grass. ...
Rosemary.

Is Lemon bee balm invasive?

Is Bee Balm Invasive? The Bee balm flower – also referred to as monarda – is relatively easy to grow from seeds, cuttings, and root divisions. In fact, the plant can become invasive and spread every year with the right growing season. This is because it quickly spreads via underground rhizomes.

Does bee balm repel mosquitoes?

Bee Balm (Bergamot) – This beautiful blooming plant has many medicinal and culinary uses – mosquito repellent among them. And unlike many of the other plants listed here, bee balm works to repel mosquitoes not only when crushed but while alive and thriving in the garden.

Does bee balm die after flowering?

Bee balm flowers don't retain any ornamental qualities after they fade. The formation of seeds can cause the quick decline of the foliage so the whole plant begins to die back before the end of the growing season.

Is bee balm poisonous to cats?

Some other plants that are safe for cats are herbs like bee balm, lavender, thyme and flowers like orchids, snapdragons, cockscomb, and many more. Consult a vet or do research before planting your flower bed.