Growing lemon balm in pots will make a great addition to your patio herb garden. A lemon balm plant is not only beautiful, but it has many uses as well. This article will go over everything you need to know to plant and grow this bushy perennial herb in containers outdoors.
There are many benefits to growing lemon balm in pots. Firstly, it will keep it more accessible as you can have it right on your deck or patio. Secondly, it will help to keep your lemon balm contained. Lemon balm can be kind of a bully in the garden as it is a very vigorous plant. Lemon balm is a member of the mint family and if you have ever grown mint you will know it can really spread and take over an area. Since these are more invasive plants it really is best to grow them in containers.
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) – General Information
Lemon balm has historically been seen as a plant for sympathy due to its soothing and calming effects. The Ancient Greeks believed in the power of lemon balm as a great resource for the bees. The name Melissa is actually derived from a Greek word meaning honey bee.
Lemon balm is a very aromatic herb, especially in the heat of the day as the suns warmth releases its essential oils. You will also notice the scent more strongly after the rain.
I remember my mom always had a large section of lemon balm in her garden and it was so pleasing to walk past. She used to plant it right beside the deck because it is said to repel mosquitos which is awesome.
Lemon balm is a perennial in zones 4 – 11 which means it will survive winters down to -34.4 C (-30 F) – brrr. Most people know of the traditional lemon balm with its dark green leaves, but there is also a variegated lemon balm that has light and golden colours to it. As with most variegated plants it will need a little extra love and care to keep it happy.
The easiest way to get lemon balm is by purchasing it at your local garden center. Another great way is if you have a neighbour or family member that is dividing their plant as they do very well with root division propagation. Or if you get some stem cuttings to root in water. Lastly, you could buy yourself some lemon balm seeds and start your own plants that way.
What are the Benefits of Lemon Balm?
The more I learn about lemon balm, the more I love it – it really is such a versatile herb.
Over the years people have used it in cooking, as it has many culinary uses. Since lemon balm has such a strong, fresh, lemon scented fragrance, a little can go a long way. You can add it to fish or poultry dishes, salads, or stuffing. You can also make herbal teas either hot or cold. Nothing beats a nice iced tea made from herbs that you grew in your garden.
Lemon balm is also a very calming herb, and is said to reduce anxiety and leave you feeling refreshed. For this reason it has been used as an ingredient to potpourris, and herbal dream pillows.
Lemon balm has a very long growing season. It will be up early in the season and will continue all the through until your first frost. Not to mention that the honey bees absolutely love it! So it is great to attract pollinators to your garden as well.
One last bonus is that lemon balm is said to repel mosquitos due to the essential oils released from the fresh leaves. All natural pest control – love it!
Selecting the Best Containers to Grow Lemon Balm
You can grow a very healthy lemon balm plant in an 8 inch diameter pot. When selecting a container you always want to consider, how large the plant will get, and how wet or dry it would like to be. Lemon balm will grow between 24 and 36 inches tall, and prefers to grow in well-drained soil.
It is not a problem at all to grow your lemon balm in larger containers, but you will really want to avoid small pots as your lemon balm will grow too quickly. Another benefit of using large pots is that it is easier to regulate the moisture levels. With the smaller pots they tend to dry out a lot faster so you really need to be on top of your watering game.
Another thing to watch for is that your pot has good drainage. If your pot does not have any drainage in it you can create some. For plastic pots I will just take a drill and add about 4 to 5 small holes in the bottom of the container. For galvanized tubs I use a large nail and a hammer to create some good drainage holes in the bottom.
What is the Best Soil for Growing Lemon Balm in Pots?
When growing lemon balm in pots, it is best to chose a well-drained soil. You also want to choose a fertile soil by ensuring it has a lot of good organic matter in it to feed your plant. Lastly, it is important to pick a lighter fluffier soil. Do not use anything to hard or compacted as that would making it harder for the roots to spread. Compacted soil also reduces the amount of oxygen that the roots have access to.
I have never really paid much attention to soil ph as lemon balm is one of the easiest herbs to grow and doesn’t demand much. That being said, I looked it up and lemon balm prefers a neutral soil ph of 6.5 – 7. A lot of soils fall in to this range. You usually only have to go out of your way if a plant prefers a more acidic or alkaline soil versus a neutral one. So I wouldn’t get too hung up on this factor.
It can be overwhelming to choose the best soil for lemon balm when there are so many soil types out there. I have always had really good luck by using “Vegetable and Herb Promix”. I like this soil because it is light and fluffy enough for containers. It is all natural and organic so it is safe to use with herbs you may eat. And, it can feed your plants for up to three months, so you really don’t need to worry about fertilizing for the first while.
How to Plant Lemon Balm in a Pot?
- Select a pot that is about 8 inches wide, and 8 inches deep with good drainage
- Select a well-draining soil and add water so that it resembles a damp sponge consistency. The soil should be able to form a ball when squeezed, and only have a maximum of 1 – 2 water droplets come out. The ball should also easily crumble apart when pressure is applied.
- Fill your container 1 to 2 inches from the top
- Create a hole in the center of the pot
- Take your lemon balm plant out of its nursery pot
- If the roots are very root bound then lightly tickle the bottom roots to loosen them, this is also a good time to remove any yellowing lower leaves
- Place your lemon balm in the hole you created
- Fill in with the rest of your moist soil and gently press down around the base of the plant
- Only plant deep enough to match the previous soil level
- Water in your plant so the soil settles in around the roots
- In extra dry climates – you can mulch the top of the soil with wood chips, or pea gravel to retain moisture
What fertilizer is best for Growing Lemon Balm in Pots?
As with many herbs, lemon balm does not require much in the way of fertilizer. In containers though, it is important to provide some food for your plant as the nutrients will continue to deplete over time.
I would recommend using a very low strength water soluble fertilizer such as “Alaska Fish Fertilizer”. This fertilizer is safe to use on your veggies and herbs as it is certified organic. It comes concentrated so a little will go a long way. You will just need to get past the smell when you mix with water before watering your plants. It will continue to slowly release organic matter into the soil over time.
The Alaska Fish Fertilizer has a 5-1-1 NPK (Nitrogen, Phosphorus, Potassium). This is great for your lemon balm as it is not too strong, and contains more nitrogen which will promote leaf growth.
As with any fertilizer it is important to read all labels on the bottle and fertilize according to the directions.
As I mentioned earlier, I like to use Vegetable and Herb Promix. Since this potting soil contains nutrients within it, I don’t need to worry about fertilizing for the first three months. After that time, I start fertilizing according to the fertilizer directions.
How do you care for Lemon Balm in Pots?
Now that you have your lemon balm set up in your pot and a good plan for fertilizing, we should talk about maintaining it. To take good care of your lemon balm, you will want to consider the light it needs, water requirements, and pruning.
Most lemon balm will grow somewhere where it gets direct sunlight, so be sure to place it in a nice sunny spot. It will be happy to have 6-8 hours of full sunlight each day. The variegate variety however, prefers partial shade as it is a little more sensitive. If you live in an especially hot and dry environment your lemon balm will appreciate some partial shade in the afternoon.
When watering, it is important to keep soil moist but do not overwater. Too much water can lead to root rot, and other sicknesses. A good indicator that it is time to water is if the soil surface looks lighter in colour. Another thing is if your container feels lighter. Thirdly, you can put your finger down into the soil about 2 inches and if it feels dry then you should water.
I find with most herbs it is best to give them a good heavy water, and then let them dry out just a bit before the next watering.
When pruning or harvesting always be sure to cut the stem close to the base of the plant just above the second set of leaves. This will encourage the new growth to be even bushier than before.
When Should Lemon Balm be Repotted?
It is best to repot lemon balm every 1 – 2 years, or as needed. The answer to this question will highly depend on the size of pot you chose. With a larger pot, it can stay in it longer. But, if your pot is on the smaller side, then you will want to repot sooner.
Things to look for to know it is time to repot:
- If you notice roots coming out of the bottom of the pot
- If the top two inches of soil are filled with roots to a point that you can hardly dig through it
- If your lemon balm doesn’t seem to be growing as much, or is starting to turn yellow
Lemon balm grows quite quickly so be sure to keep an eye on that. If it has filled out the pot and doesn’t look like it has any more room to grow then you should repot. You do not want to end up with a stunted plant.
It is a very simple process to repot your lemon balm. You only need to go a size or two up from the current pot. To repot your lemon balm you will follow the same steps as when you initially planted it. Fill with fresh pre-moistened soil, and break up any root bound roots. Next, plant by matching the current soil level. Give it a good water and then you are on your way.
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