Lemon Balm

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a bushy, bright green mint-family perennial with a delicate, sweet lemon scent released the moment its leaves are brushed or crushed. Long used as a calming tea herb, its genus name comes from the Greek word for bee, honoring how strongly it attracts pollinators.

Growing Lemon Balm

Like most mint-family members, lemon balm spreads enthusiastically by both seed and root, so many gardeners contain it in a pot to keep it from taking over a bed. It tolerates a wide range of conditions, including some shade, and can be cut back hard mid-season if it starts to look tired — it responds with a flush of fresh, tender new growth.

Culinary Uses

Fresh lemon balm leaves make a gentle, calming tea on their own or blended with other herbs like chamomile, and can be muddled into cocktails and lemonades for a bright, citrusy lift. Its delicate flavor fades quickly with cooking, so it's best used fresh or added at the very end of a recipe.