HERB-MINT-LEMON (Bee Balm)
HERB-MINT-LEMON (Bee Balm)
A$3.50
Availability: 14 in stock
Monarda citriodora
HERB-MINT-LEMON (Bee Balm) is part of the mint family with refreshing lemon flavoured leaves, with the tang of lemon & the menthol of mint. It has been around for hundreds of years & is widely known for its many uses. Commonly used as a medicinal tea & as an effective nerve tonic, it calms the nerves & soothes anxiety and tension. Dried it emits a relaxing scent & is often used in aromatherapy. Can tolerate dry soil, & requires little water or direct sunlight. Several stems grow from the base & are lined with pairs of lance-shaped leaves. It grows quickly during spring, reaching up to almost 1 metre high & blooms with white, purple & pink flowers. The plant dies with the first frost, & although it is an annual, its seed can germinate & grow the following year.
Thin out when large enough to handle, so that they are finally 30cm apart. Provide additional water if necessary until the plants reach 30cm.
| Germination Time (Days) | 10 – 30 |
| Sowing Depth (mm) | 12 |
| Plant Spacing (cm) | 30 |
| pH | 6.5 – 7.5 |
| Soil Temperature (°C) | – |
| Hardy / Frost Tender | Hardy |
| Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings | Raise Seedlings |
| Seed Preparation | – |
Scoville Heat Units (SHU)
Plant Height
60 - 90 cm (2 - 3 feet)
Season of Interest
Summer to early Autumn
Temperature Range
15 - 25 °C
Determine / Indeterminate
Annual / Perennial / Biennial
Annual / Perennial
Frost Hardy / Tender
Frost Tender
Full Sun / Part Sun / Shade
Full Sun to Part Shade
Sow Direct / Raise Seedlings
Sow direct / raise seedlings
Soil
Well-drained, sandy loam
pH
6.0 - 7.0
Soil Temperature
18 - 24 °C (64 - 75 °F)
Seed Preparation
None required
Sowing Depth
0.3 cm (0.1 inches)
Plant Spacing
20 - 30 cm (8 - 12 inches)
Row spacing
30 - 45 cm (12 - 18 inches)
Watering
Moderate
Germination Time (Days)
10 - 15 days
Harvest Time (Days)
80 - 90 days
Good Companion Plants
Basil, Tomatoes, Marigolds
Bad Companion Plants
None specific
Pests
Aphids, Spider mites
Diseases
Powdery mildew
More About Us
When I started this journey in 2009, I found nothing existed commercially, that was reasonably priced and easy to use. There was a homemade system which I also found was not that user-friendly.
Then a friend of mine told me about a homemade method she used. However, when I tried her method, I found this also didn’t suit my needs, as it too had flaws that I considered where important. It did not keep vermin out, did not have a lockable lid and (to me) looked unsightly in the garden
