Plant Profile: Lemon Balm
How to Grow Lemon Balm in Your North Carolina Garden (And Why You’ll Want to Plant It Everywhere)
Let’s talk about lemon balm—the backyard herb that smells like a lemony daydream, grows like a weed (in the best way), and quietly makes you look like a plant whisperer even if you forgot to water last week. Whether you're aiming for a peaceful herbal tea garden or just looking to fill a few sunny gaps with something low-stress and high-reward, lemon balm is the plant for the job.
Here’s everything you need to know about growing and caring for lemon balm in your North Carolina garden, whether you’re in the mountains, the Piedmont, or basking on the coastal plain.
What Is Lemon Balm, and Why Should You Care?
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis, if we’re being fancy) is a member of the mint family—which means it’s very friendly, sometimes a little too enthusiastic, and has a tendency to spread if not politely contained.
It’s a perennial herb, meaning once you plant it, it comes back year after year like that reliable friend who always brings snacks. Bonus: it smells heavenly (like lemon zest with a hint of mint), attracts pollinators, and makes your tea feel fancier than it probably is.
You can use it for:
Herbal teas (hot or iced)
Adding lemony brightness to salads or desserts
DIY skincare
Repelling mosquitoes (no promises, but hey, it tries)
The NC Garden: Is Lemon Balm a Good Fit?
Short answer: yes. Longer answer: absolutely yes.
Lemon balm thrives in North Carolina’s varied climate zones—from the cooler mountain regions to the humid coast. It prefers full sun to partial shade, tolerates our hot summers like a champ, and comes back every spring with very little drama.
Basically, it’s the easygoing neighbor of your herb garden.
Where and When to Plant Lemon Balm in NC
When to Plant:
Spring is ideal—after your last frost date (typically mid to late April in most parts of NC).
You can also plant in early fall if you want to get a head start on next year’s growth.
Where to Plant:
Full sun is best, but lemon balm also does well in partial shade, especially if your summers get scorchingly hot.
It likes well-drained soil, but it’s not picky—average garden soil will do just fine.
Container Tip:
Worried about it spreading? Plant it in a pot or a raised bed to keep it contained. This herb has big dreams and will take over if given the chance.
How to Plant Lemon Balm
Start from seeds, small plants, or divisions.
Seeds can be slow to germinate, so most folks prefer grabbing a small starter plant from a nursery (or a generous gardening friend).
Spacing: Plant lemon balm about 18–24 inches apart. It’ll fill in quickly.
Watering: Water well after planting, then give it about 1 inch of water per week, especially during dry spells.
Mulch it: A little mulch around the base helps retain moisture and keeps weeds from moving in.
Caring for Lemon Balm (So Simple, It Feels Suspicious)
Lemon balm is basically that low-maintenance friend who never flakes on you. Still, a little care goes a long way:
Watering:
Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
Established plants are fairly drought-tolerant, but they appreciate consistency.
Trimming/Harvesting:
The more you snip, the more it grows. Cut it back regularly to keep it from flowering and going to seed.
Harvest just before flowering for the best flavor and oils.
Pruning:
In late summer, it may start to look a little leggy (we’ve all been there). Go ahead and give it a hard prune—it’ll bounce back.
In the fall, cut it down to a few inches above the soil.
Controlling the Spread (Yes, It’s a Thing)
Here’s where the mint-family genes kick in. Lemon balm will reseed and spread if left unchecked, especially in rich soil. Keep it in its place with one of these strategies:
Grow it in containers or raised beds.
Trim off flowers before they go to seed.
Divide clumps every couple of years to keep them manageable.
Or, if you’re cool with a lemon balm takeover, let it do its thing. There are worse problems to have.
Harvesting and Using Your Lemon Balm
Once your plant has filled in a bit (6–8 inches tall), you can start harvesting. Cut the leaves as needed, and don’t be shy—it actually encourages more growth.
Use it fresh in:
Tea
Water infusions
Salads
Marinades
Or dry it for:
Winter teas
Sachets for drawers (goodbye, musty socks)
Sleepytime blends
To dry: just tie a bunch of stems together and hang them upside down in a cool, dry place. Bonus points if you feel like a 19th-century apothecary while doing it.
Pests and Problems (Mostly Optional)
Lemon balm is pretty tough, but nothing is perfect:
Powdery mildew can show up if the plant is crowded or too wet. Give it space and good airflow.
Aphids may pay a visit. Spray with a hose or use neem oil if they get annoying.
But honestly? Most pests don’t mess with lemon balm. It’s just not that kind of party.
Final Thoughts: Should You Plant Lemon Balm?
If you're into gardening that smells amazing, doesn’t require a PhD in horticulture, and actually pays you back in herbal tea and pollinator points, then yes—lemon balm is your herb.
It’s a stress-free, high-reward addition to any NC garden. And whether you’re growing in the clay soil of the Piedmont, the cool hills of the mountains, or the sandy coast, this plant will show up and thrive.
So go ahead—plant some lemon balm. Your backyard (and your tea) will thank you.
