How to Grow Lemon Balm

Updated June 2026

A year-round herb for the home garden.

Lemon Balm is a rewarding year-round crop for backyard growers.

🌱 Plant profile: Lemon Balm, with sowing times for your region, companion plants and common pests.

When to plant

In frost-free regions lemon balm can be grown almost year-round. Elsewhere, plant in the milder months on either side of summer. See your region on the lemon balm page for exact timing.

Varieties

• Lemon Balm, Classic Melissa officinalis (garden centers)

How to grow it

• Sun & soil: part sun to light shade, rich well-drained soil with even moisture.
• Spacing: about 12 in between plants.
• Sowing: barely cover the seed.
• Water: roughly 1.1 gal per plant every 3 days in hot weather.
• Containers: grows well in a pot of 8 in+.

Pests & problems

In humid regions, Powdery mildew can appear, so space for airflow and water at the roots in the morning.

Harvest

Lemon Balm is usually ready to harvest in about 2 months. Pick regularly to keep plants productive.

When to plant in your region

Pick your region to see exactly when to plant lemon balm where you garden.

See also: Lemon Balm in the plant library →

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