Lemon Balm (Malissa officinalis) is a pungent, attractive herb that has lots of uses. A few leaves can infuse and uplift your tea or why not add a couple of fresh leaves to garnish desserts and garden salads.


How to grow lemon balm in a garden

  1. Choose a spot in the garden that receives full sun or a spot under a fruit tree. Enrich the soil with Yates Thrive Natural Blood & Bone with Seaweed. If the soil is clay based, add gypsum and fork in well.
  2. Sprinkle the seeds over a small area.
  3. Cover seeds lightly with soil. To retain moisture, mulch the sown area with pea or lucerne straw. Water in to keep the soil moist.   
  4. Once they have sprouted you can then plant space is about 20 cm and space between rows is 20 cm.
  5. Feed every few weeks with Yates Thrive Natural Fish Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate
     

 

How to grow lemon balm in a pot

  1. Choose small pots 150 mm wide. Position in full sun or partial shade or along the garden border and fill with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
  2. Place a few seeds in each pot and cover them with the potting mix to about 5 mm deep.
  3. Water in well with a rose head fitted watering can.
  4. Once germinated keep them well watered, but avoid keeping the potting mix to wet.
  5. Feed them with Yates Thrive Natural Fish Seaweed+ Plant Food Concentrate every few weeks to promote foliage growth. 

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Harvesting 

  • Harvest the leaves by plucking the stems off as needed. Pruning them will encourage more vigorous growth.  


Growing tips

  • Prune hard in early spring
  • Frequent picking ensures continuous supply


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Parsley

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Chives

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Recommended products

Yates Premium Potting Mix

A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.