Lemon Balm Care: How To Grow This Calming Herb Indoors or Out

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a fragrant, fast-growing herb from the mint family that brings a calming citrus scent to any garden or windowsill. With soft, textured leaves and a soothing lemon aroma, it’s often grown for both culinary and medicinal use. Whether brewed into tea, added to summer dishes, or used to calm nerves and support sleep, lemon balm is an easy-to-grow staple that thrives with minimal effort.

This guide breaks down how to grow lemon balm successfully in pots, raised beds, or directly in the garden — from light and soil to pruning, harvesting, and propagation.

Why Grow Lemon Balm?

Lemon balm isn’t just another herb — it’s a natural stress reliever, mild sedative, pollinator attractor, and culinary enhancer all in one.

Its essential oils contain compounds like citral and geraniol, which are known for their soothing, uplifting effects.

It grows quickly and responds well to trimming, making it a great addition to herb gardens where you want frequent harvests.

And because it’s part of the mint family, it spreads easily outdoors — though that also means it needs to be monitored if planted directly in the ground.

Light Requirements: Full Sun to Part Shade

Lemon balm thrives in full sun, but it can tolerate partial shade — especially in hot climates.

• Outdoors: Provide 6–8 hours of sunlight daily for best flavor and oil production.

• Indoors: Place near a south- or west-facing window or use a grow light to supplement 12–14 hours of light per day.

• In very hot climates, afternoon shade can prevent scorching.

Too much shade may cause leggy growth and reduce essential oil content in the leaves.

Watering: Moderate and Even Moisture

Lemon balm prefers consistently moist but not soggy soil.

It will wilt if left dry for too long but is somewhat drought-tolerant once established.

• Water when the top inch of soil is dry to the touch.

• In containers, check moisture frequently — potted soil dries out faster.

• Avoid overhead watering, especially late in the day, to reduce the risk of mildew.

Water deeply and regularly, but always ensure the soil drains well between waterings.

Soil: Loose, Well-Drained, and Slightly Rich

Like most herbs, lemon balm prefers well-draining soil that isn’t too rich.

A moderately fertile mix encourages flavorful leaves without too much fast, weak growth.

• Ideal pH: 6.0–7.5

• Add compost or aged manure to garden beds for improved texture and nutrients.

• For containers, use standard potting mix amended with perlite or sand to boost drainage.

Avoid compacted or heavy clay soils — they retain too much moisture and can lead to root rot.

Fertilizer: Light Feeding for Lush Growth

Lemon balm doesn’t need heavy feeding, but a light fertilizer can support dense, leafy growth — especially in containers or poor soils.

• Use a balanced liquid fertilizer with a 10-10-10 like (this one) or 20-20-20 (like this one) ratio, diluted to half strength.

• Apply every 4–6 weeks during the growing season.

• Avoid over-fertilizing — too much nitrogen can reduce flavor and essential oil concentration.

If you’re growing primarily for medicinal or tea use, lean toward compost and natural soil amendments over synthetic fertilizers.

Temperature and Climate Tolerance

Lemon balm is a hardy perennial in USDA zones 4–9 but can be grown as an annual in colder regions.

• Optimal growth temperature: 65–80°F (18–27°C)

• It tolerates light frost but dies back in winter unless protected.

• Indoors, it will grow year-round if given adequate light and warmth.

In the ground, mulch around the base of the plant in late fall to help it survive the winter.

Indoors, keep it away from radiators or drafts.

Pruning and Harvesting: Cut Back Often

Lemon balm loves to be harvested — and pruning actually encourages fuller, healthier growth.

• Begin harvesting once plants are 6–8 inches tall.

• Cut stems just above a leaf node to encourage branching.

• Frequent trimming prevents flowering, which preserves leaf flavor.

• Cut the plant back by half at midsummer to stimulate a flush of fresh growth.

Leaves are best harvested before flowering, when essential oil content is at its peak.

Propagation: Seeds, Cuttings, or Division

Lemon balm is easy to propagate using multiple methods:

From Seed

• Start seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost, or direct sow in spring.

• Seeds are slow to germinate — expect 10–14 days at 65–70°F (18–21°C).

• Keep seedlings moist but not waterlogged.

From Cuttings

• Snip a 4–6 inch stem, strip the lower leaves, and place in water or moist soil.

• Roots form in 1–2 weeks.

• Transplant once roots are well established.

By Division

• Dig and divide mature clumps every 2–3 years in early spring or fall.

• Each section should include roots and a few stems.

Popular Lemon Balm Varieties

While most garden lemon balm is Melissa officinalis, there are a few cultivars worth noting:

• ‘Quedlinburger Niederliegende’ – A low-growing, dense variety often used in herbal medicine.

• ‘Aurea’ (Golden Lemon Balm) – Variegated leaves with bright gold-green coloration; slightly milder in flavor.

• ‘Lime Balm’ – A zesty twist on classic lemon balm with a hint of lime aroma.

• Common Lemon Balm – The standard variety found in most nurseries, with classic lemon-mint scent and wide leaves.

Flavor differences between cultivars are subtle, but some varieties are preferred for teas or ornamental use due to leaf color and growth habit.

Final Word

Lemon balm is one of the most versatile herbs you can grow — equally at home in herbal teas, tinctures, culinary dishes, or pollinator gardens.

It’s easygoing, fast-growing, and can bounce back even after harsh pruning or transplanting.

With just a little attention to moisture, sun, and space, you’ll have a thriving plant that delivers calm, flavor, and beauty all season long.

Whether you’re harvesting for your teapot or just brushing past it for the scent, lemon balm rewards every gardener with more than they expected.