Indoor Lemon Balm Care - Tips For Growing Lemon Balm Indoors

Light. In both indoor and outdoor environments, lemon balm loves a sunny spot. However, unlike an outdoor lemon balm plant—which can tolerate a bit of shade—those planted indoors need ample sunlight, at least five to six hours a day. Place your herb containers near a windowsill that gets ample light throughout the day.

How do you care for a lemon balm plant indoors?

The dos of growing lemon balm indoors

Put your plant in a bright window. When grown indoors, lemon balm needs extremely bright light to thrive.
Give it a home with good drainage. All herbs need well-draining soil and a pot with a drainage hole.

How do you grow lemon balm seeds indoors?

To start lemon balm indoors, sow seeds six to eight weeks before the last frost. Start with small pots filled with a light seed-starting mix and barely cover. I prefer to sprinkle seeds on the surface of the soil and then lightly scratch them in before watering.

Can lemon balm grow in pots?

Yes, lemon balm is one of the easiest herbs to grow in a container. It will flourish in a pot with rich, well-drained potting mix.

How do you maintain lemon balm?

Watering: Lemon balm requires regular, even watering. It grows best in slightly moist soil. Once established lemon balm tolerates drought. Feeding: Lemon balm does not require extra feeding; side-dress plants with aged compost during the growing season.

What insects does lemon balm repel?

Lemon balm repels mosquitoes and gnats. Commonly grown as ornamental border plants, marigolds are hardy annual plants which have a distinctive smell which mosquitoes, and some other insects, find particularly offensive.

What is the difference between lemon balm and mint?

While mint and lemon balm do come from the same family, they come from different branches of that family. ... Lemon balm's flavor is mildly lemony with a very subtle mint note, while mint's flavor is simply minty with no lemon note.

Can I plant lemon balm and mint together?

The mint family plants, which include peppermint, spearmint, catmint, flavored mints such as orange mint and lemon balm, are spreading plants. ... Don't mix different mints in the same box because they interbreed and will produce some new and probably not as deliciously fragrant varieties.

Can I eat lemon balm leaves?

I especially like to toss a few fresh leaves into a salad or a bowl of mixed fresh fruit or use it in a vinaigrette for marinades and salads. It also makes great herb butter. ... It is also a common ingredient in herbal teas. A handful of fresh lemon balm and mint makes an excellent hot or iced tea, especially with honey.

Does lemon balm die in winter?

Growing Lemon Balm Indoors

Overwintering Inside: The plant needs a rest period in the winter. It will die down in the autumn. The best way to overwinter Lemon Balm is to cut it right back to the ground and store in a cool room until the spring.

Why is my lemon balm plant dying?

Lemon balm leaves turn brown when the plant can't take up enough water to keep the leaves hydrated. The thirsty tissues become scorched from lack of moisture. ... Drying winds and over-fertilizing also leave lemon balm's foliage scorched and brown, reports the Herb Society of America.

Can you take too much lemon balm?

As a general rule of thumb, never take more than the recommended dosage on the product label. Cold sores preparations containing 1% lemon balm can be applied to cold sores three to four times per day.

What does lemon balm grow well with?

Most herbs, fruits and vegetables make great lemon balm companions, including the following:

Winter and summer squash.
Melons.
Tomatoes.
All members of the cabbage family (kale, broccoli, Brussels sprouts, cauliflower, etc.)
Apples.
Kiwi.
Onions.
Fennel.

Should I cut back lemon balm?

To prevent spreading, prune flowering stalks before they have a chance to set seed. To keep plants vigorous, thin plants out in mid-summer by cutting out stems to open up the plant to better air circulation. Lemon balm can also be cut back to about one-half its height to encourage fresh, vigorous new growth.

How often should you water lemon balm?

Water deeply enough to saturate the roots, and then allow the top of the soil to dry slightly before watering again, as soggy soil may cause the plant to rot. Lemon balm in containers may require water every day, especially during hot, dry weather.

Why is my lemon balm turning purple?

When you notice a plant with purple leaves rather than the normal green color, it is most likely due to a phosphorus deficiency. All plants need phosphorus (P) in order to create energy, sugars and nucleic acids. Young plants are more likely to display signs of phosphorus deficiency than older plants.

Does lemon balm repel ants?

Lemon Balm

Neither do flies and ants.

Does lemon balm repel mice?

This member of the mint family even does well during drought conditions. It is also known for growing aggressively and taking over the area in which it is planted. Growing lemon balm in a pot instead of the ground might be advisable. ... Catnip - Cats love this plant, but mice, mosquitoes, fleas, and ants hate it.

Does lemon balm get rid of flies?

Lemon balm: Lemon balm is really easy to grow and makes a nice companion plant in a mixed pot. Plant it in a border around your patio, to repel biting flies. ... It is a wonderful repellent for flies. Other herbs that work to repel flies are tansy, mints, and bay.

What are the side effects of drinking lemon balm tea?

Lemon balm has the potential to cause the following side effects:

headache.
painful urination.
increased body temperature.
nausea.
vomiting.
stomach pain.
dizziness.
wheezing.

Is lemon and lemon balm the same?

Lemon balm and lemon mint aren't the same. While lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) and lemon mint (Monarda citriodora) are both members of the extensive mint family (Lamiaceae), they aren't closely related.

What is the difference between lemon and lemon balm?

Lemon verbena is from the Verbenaceae family and is a South American herb, while lemon balm is related to mint and is a European herb. Both lemon balm and lemon verbena offer a lemon aroma and flavor notes, but they do so in different concentrations. Lemon balm provides a more subdued and less sweet lemon flavor.