Lemon balm is a bushy herbaceous perennial of the mint family that is typically grown in herb gardens and border fronts for its lemon-scented leaves. It was introduced from Europe and has naturalized throughout much of North America. It prefers well-drained soils in sun to part shade but tolerates poor soils and drought once established. This plant will self-seed and spread aggressively by rhizomes, so it is best to grow in a container on a patio or deck where it is unlikely to escape into the landscape. Prune to remove spent flower stalks and encourage new growth for a better-looking plant. New leaves are more flavorful than mature ones. Problems: Powdery mildew, leaf spot, leaf blight and gray mold may occur.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; Loam (Silt); Sand; Shallow Rocky
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Occasionally Dry
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Mounding; Multi-stemmed; Open
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Ovate
Leaf margin
Crenate
Leaf feel
Rough
Leaf value
Edible; Fragrant
Leaf size
1-3 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
Up to 3 inches long oval, wrinkled, green leaves occur in pairs. Margins are crenate.
Flower color
White
Flower value
Edible; Long-lasting
Flower shape
Trumpet; Tubular
Flower size
< 1 inch
Flower detail
White flowers are borne in whorls in the axils of terminal leaves. They are tiny, two-lipped and inconspicuous and appear throughout the summer. Bees love them.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit detail
Produces many viable seeds
Stem color
Brown/Copper; Green
Stem detail
Green stems can become somewhat wood with age.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Southern Europe
Distribution
Throughout much of the US
Wildlife value
Deer resistant
Attracts
Butterflies; Pollinators
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Leaves; Flowers
Fruit type
Capsule
Edibility
Leaves and flowers can be used for teas and flavorings of soups, stews etc.
Uses (ethnobotany)
The herb has been used medicinally. Dried leaves can be used in sachets and potpourri.