Plants
Lemon Balm
Melissa officinalis · Lamiaceae
Lemon balm is the friendliest herb in the range: brushing its soft leaves releases a fresh lemon scent, tea from its fresh leaves is one of the most popular calming teas of all — and the plant itself is winter-hardy, vigorous and nearly indestructible. It is safe for pets and a feast for bees.
- Light
- Sunny to semi-shaded — tolerates considerably more shade than rosemary and thyme.
- Watering
- Regular and even; it forgives short dry spells, but not prolonged ones.
- Care level
- Easy
- Botanical
- Melissa officinalis
Lemon balm is an old medicinal plant with a serious history: Hildegard von Bingen recommended it, and the famous Carmelite water made it known across Europe in the 17th century. Today lemon balm tea is valued mainly as a mild companion for restlessness and at bedtime — and as a simply delicious summer tea, hot or iced.
Its lemon scent comes from essential oils such as citral and citronellal, held in fine glands on the leaf underside. The scent peaks just before flowering and partly evaporates on drying — which is why lemon balm is one of the few herbs that are markedly better fresh than dried. Freezing preserves the aroma better.
In care it resembles its relative, the mint: nutrient-rich, fresh soil, even moisture and a sunny to semi-shaded spot. It shares mint's urge to spread too — in a bed it self-seeds abundantly and forms dense clumps, while in a pot it behaves and can be divided every spring.
The best care tip is a bold cutback: once the shoots grow long and the lower leaves yellow, cut the whole clump back to a hand's width above the soil. Two to three weeks later fresh, tender foliage stands in its place — repeatable two or three times a season. Cut before flowering, the leaves taste finest.
As a windowsill and balcony plant, lemon balm is a good choice for pet households too: it is considered safe for cats and dogs, and some cats even like the scent. If you enjoy an evening cup of tea, a single pot is practically a permanent source — with good care the plant lives for many years.
Is Lemon Balm toxic to children and pets?
- Children
- Non-toxic
- Cats
- Non-toxic
- Dogs
- Non-toxic
Lemon balm is considered safe for cats, dogs and people — as a traditional tea and medicinal herb it is even used for its calming effect. Only concentrated melissa essential oil should be kept away from animals; the plant itself is harmless.
Overview: toxic & non-toxic plants for cats, dogs and children
Care
- 01Place it sunny to semi-shaded; in partial shade the leaves stay more tender.
- 02Keep it evenly moist — lemon balm is thirstier than Mediterranean herbs.
- 03Plant in nutrient-rich soil and feed monthly during the season.
- 04Cut back to a hand's width above the soil two or three times per season.
- 05Divide large clumps in spring and replant in fresh soil.
- 06In winter the pot may die back outdoors — lemon balm is fully winter-hardy.
Frequently asked
- How do I make tea from fresh lemon balm?
- Lightly bruise a good handful of fresh leaves, pour over hot water that is no longer boiling and let it steep covered for five to eight minutes — covering keeps the volatile essential oils in the cup. Fresh lemon balm tea tastes far more aromatic than tea from dried leaves.
- Is lemon balm toxic to cats or dogs?
- No, lemon balm is considered safe for cats and dogs. Some cats even enjoy sniffing and nibbling it, which is harmless in small amounts. Only concentrated melissa oil should be kept away from animals, as with all essential oils.
- Why has my lemon balm almost stopped smelling?
- Usually the shoots are simply overaged, or the plant stands too dark and too wet. A radical cutback to a hand's width above the soil brings fresh, intensely scented foliage within weeks. The aroma also fades after flowering — so cut regularly before the blooms open.
- Is lemon balm winter-hardy?
- Yes, completely — lemon balm is a long-lived perennial that dies back above ground and reliably re-sprouts in spring. Potted specimens survive winter outdoors too; just move them to a sheltered wall so the root ball does not sit permanently wet.