Monarda is a genus of herbaceous perennial plants in the mint family (Lamiaceae) native to North America, where 25 species are recognized. They typically grow 2 to 4 feet tall, but some may get taller. The flowers are pollinator magnets and generally bloom during the spring or summer in a variety of colors. The genus name honors Nicolás Monardes (1493–1588), a physician and botanist from Seville, known for his work on the medical plants of the West Indies. Beebalm does best in full sun with good air circulation to decrease powdery mildew problems. They need moist but well-drained soil and tolerate clay soils. Giving these plants enough moisture will keep them healthier and help prevent powdery mildew. They are resistant to damage by rabbits and deer. Some species and cultivars spread aggressively by rhizomes and can invade adjoining beds and paths. Use beebalm at the front or back of the border, depending on size. Place them where you can brush against the aromatic foliage. They are a must for sunny native pollinator gardens. They will self-seed and spread by rhizomes, so deadhead the flowers to minimize self-seeding. They can be pruned in late spring or early summer to promote bushiness and delay bloom time. Divide the clumps every few years to prevent crowded conditions. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Powdery mildew can be a big problem. There are cultivars available that have some mildew resistance. VIDEO created by Andy Pulte for “Landscape Plant Identification, Taxonomy and Morphology” a plant identification course offered by the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Tennessee.
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; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt); Sand
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0); Alkaline (>8.0); Neutral (6.0-8.0)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
NC region
Coastal; Mountains; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Medium
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
4 - Herbaceous (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect; Spreading
Texture
Medium
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Opposite
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Serrate
Leaf value
Fragrant
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 1-3 inches wide
Hairs present
Yes
Leaf detail
The slender leaves are green and range in size from 2.5- to 5 inches long with a mint fragrance. They are lanceolate to ovate with none to sparse hairs and serrated margins.
Flower color
Pink; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Flower value
Fragrant; Good Cut; Showy
Flower form
Head
Flower shape
Tubular
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
The flowers appear at the ends of the stems or in the leaf axis. There are several tubular flowers rising from the center of the head that has a narrow upper lip and a wider lower lip. Each flower head is subtended by (rests upon) a whorl of leafy bracts
Bloom time
Spring; Summer
Fruit color
Brown/Copper
Fruit type
Capsule
Fruit size
< 1 inch long, < 1 inch wide
Fruit detail
Seeds form in the tubes of the flowers and fall out easily