plant

Lemon balm

Melissa officinalis

Updated 4 Aug 2026 · AI-parsed entry

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) — a plant, for Part sun, Medium water.

What it needs & gives back

↓ Needs

Lightfull sun to partial shade
Watermoderate

↑ Gives back

Mulch_biomassmedium
Nectarabundant
Pollenmoderate

Through the year

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND
emergenceEmergence of new shoots in spring after the last frost and when soil temperatures rise above 5 C.
floweringFlowering begins in early summer as days lengthen and air temperatures are consistently above 15 C.
senescenceFoliage dies back with the first autumn frosts.
dormancyEnters dormancy after senescence, lasting through winter until spring.

Soil interactions

Drainagewell-drained
Nitrogen fixingNo
MycorrhizalNo
Accumulatespotassium, calcium, manganese
Soil textureloam, sandy_loam
Organic matterMedium
Compaction toleranceMedium

Propagation

Methodsseed, cuttings, division
Difficulty1 / 5
Establishes in~1 yr
Stratificationnot_required
Self-seedingModerate
Divisionspring_or_autumn

Wildlife & pests

Attractsbees, hoverflies, butterflies
Repelsmosquitoes, gnats