Zitronenmelisse

A very easily grown plant, it succeeds in any well-drained soil in a sunny sheltered position. It prefers a light rich moist soil,a warm position and partial shade. Once established, this is a drought tolerant species, it is a useful plant to try in difficult dry places, usually succeeding in the dustiest of soils once it is established. Lemon balm is often grown in the herb garden, and sometimes also commercially, there are some named varieties. Plants can often self-sow so freely as to become a menace. If the plants are cut back hard after flowering, they will produce a fresh flush of leaves. Members of this genus are rarely if ever troubled by browsing deer or rabbits. A good bee plant. A good companion plant, especially for brassicas. Special Features:Attractive foliage, Edible, Fragrant foliage, Not North American native, Invasive, Naturalizing, Suitable for cut flowers, Suitable for dried flowers. The plant is heat tolerant in zones 12 through 1. (Plant Hardiness Zones show how well plants withstand cold winter temperatures. Plant Heat Zones show when plants would start suffering from the heat. The Plant Heat Zone map is based on the number of "heat days" experienced in a given area where the temperature climbs to over 86 degrees F (30°C). At this temperature, many plants begin to suffer physiological damage. Heat Zones range from 1 (no heat days) to 12 (210 or more heat days). For example Heat Zone. 11-1 indicates that the plant is heat tolerant in zones 11 through 1.) For polyculture design as well as the above-ground architecture (form - tree, shrub etc. and size shown above) information on the habit and root pattern is also useful and given here if available. The plant growth habit is a clumper with limited spread [1-2]. The root pattern is fibrous dividing into a large number of fine roots [1-2]. The root pattern is stoloniferous rooting from creeping stems above the ground [1-2]. Lemon Balm is typically self-fertile. Leaves can be harvested from late spring to early autumn, ideally just before flowering for the best flavor. Lemon Balm usually flowers in mid to late summer. Lemon Balm has a fast growth rate and can reach full size within one growing season, typically about 2-3 feet tall.

Edible Parts: Leaves Edible Uses: Condiment Tea Leaves - raw or cooked. A pleasant lemon-like aroma and flavour, they are used mainly as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods. A lemon-flavoured tea can be made from the fresh or dried leaves. A bunch of the leaves can be added to china tea, much improving the flavour, the leaves are also added to fruit cups etc. They are used as a flavouring in various alcoholic beverages including Chartreuse and Benedictine.

Essential Pot-pourri Repellent Agroforestry uses: Lemon Balm is beneficial for attracting pollinators and can be used as a companion plant. Its aromatic foliage can help repel certain pests. Landscape Uses: Border, Container, Rock garden. The growing plant is said to repel flies and ants. It is also rubbed on the skin as a repellent, though the essential oil would be more effective here[K]. An essential oil is obtained from the plant (the exact part is not specified; it is probably the entire plant and especially the flowering stems). It is used medicinally. The whole plant is very pleasantly aromatic, the aroma lasting long after the plant has been harvested. It is, therefore, a very useful ingredient in pot-pourri. A dynamic accumulator gathers minerals or nutrients from the soil and stores them in a more bioavailable form - used as fertilizer or to improve mulch. 1. Nectary - Flowers rich in nectar and pollen: Yes – Lemon Balm produces attractive flowers to pollinators, especially bees, providing a good nectar source. 2. Wildlife - Food (Fruit, Seeds, Leaf litter, Shelter, Nesting, Roosting): Yes – The leaves are edible and can be used in teas, salads, or flavouring. While it doesn’t produce significant fruit or seeds, its foliage can provide some cover for wildlife. 3. Invertebrate Shelter (Overwintering sites, Leaf litter, Groundcover): Yes – The dense growth habit of Lemon Balm can provide shelter for beneficial insects and invertebrates. It may also offer some overwintering sites due to its robust foliage. 4. Pest Confuser (Smell): Yes – The strong, lemony scent of Lemon Balm can help repel certain pests, acting as a natural pest confuser due to its aromatic properties.

Heimisch: Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Bulgaria, Corse, Cyprus, East Aegean Is., France, Greece, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kirgizstan, Kriti, Lebanon-Syria, Morocco, NW. Balkan Pen., North Caucasus, Palestine, Portugal, Sardegna, Sicilia, Spain, Tadzhikistan, Transcaucasus, Tunisia, Turkmenistan, Türkiye, Türkiye-in-Europe, Uzbekistan Eingeführt: Alabama, Argentina Northeast, Argentina Northwest, Argentina South, Arkansas, Austria, Azores, Baltic States, Belgium, British Columbia, California, Canary Is., Chile Central, Connecticut, Czechia-Slovakia, Delaware, Denmark, District of Columbia, Galápagos Islands, Georgia, Germany, Great Britain, Hungary, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Ireland, Juan Fernández Is., Kansas, Kentucky, Krym, Louisiana, Madeira, Maine, Manitoba, Maryland, Massachusetts, Michigan, Missouri, Montana, Netherlands, New Jersey, New York, New Zealand North, New Zealand South, North Carolina, Ohio, Oklahoma, Ontario, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Poland, Québec, Rhode I., Romania, South Carolina, South European Russia, Sweden, Switzerland, Tasmania, Tennessee, Ukraine, Uruguay, Vermont, Virginia, Washington, West Siberia