Melissa

( meh - LISS - uh )

At-A-Glance Information

This small genus of herbaceous perennial plants is native to Europe and Asia, and is cultivated worldwide. Plants are low-growing subshrubs with true green foliage that is commonly serrated on the margins. Stems are square and green, and plants produce spikes of white to yellowish flowers in summertime. Foliage produces a lemony scent when bruised, cut, or crushed, leading to their use as a culinary herb. These plants will attract bees and other pollinators into the garden, thanks to the sweet smell of nectar produced by flowers. Plant Melissa in mixed beds or borders, as members of vegetable or herb gardens, or in pots.

Melissa Species and Varietals

The small genus Melissa is a member of the plant family Lamiaceae, and includes just 4 species. Plants in the Melissa genus are relatives of Mentha (Mint), Salvia (Sage), Thymus (Thyme), Ocimum (Basil), and Monarda (Bee Balm). The genus name is derived from the Greek word melissa, meaning honeybee, referring to the sweet nectar produced by flowers which attracts them in droves. The growing zones for Melissa plants vary depending on the species; for more information, consult the information below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Melissa officinalis (Lemon Balm, Sweet Balm, Bee Herb, Balm Mint, Melissa Balm, Common Balm, Dropsywort, Honey Plant, Sweet Mary, Tea Balm, Balm Leaf, Barm Leaf, Pimentary)
This perennial species is native to south-central Europe, the Mediterranean Basin, Iran, and Central Asia. It has naturalized in many areas of the globe. Plants reach a maximum of 3 feet tall, and leaves have a mild lemon scent to them. Flowers are small and white, packed with sweet nectar that attracts pollinators. These plants are used as herbal flavorings for various dishes and also steeped in tea. Oils extracted from plants are used in perfumes. This species is considered invasive in Australia and North America. Cultivars are listed and described below:

'Aurea'
This cultivar produces golden-greenish foliage.

'Citronella'
This variety has highly fragrant leaves reaches about 2 feet tall.

'Lime'
Also called Lime Balm, this variety produces deep green fragrant citrusy foliage.

'Mandarina'
With fragrance notes of Mandarin, and a more spreading habit than the species.

'Quedlinberger'
A varietal that has a strong flavor which can be used as a substitute for lemon juice in recipes.

'Quedlinberger Niederliegende'
A variety bred for its higher essential oil content, similar to 'Quedlinberger'.

'Variegata'
This cultivar produces yellow-variegated foliage.

Caring for Melissa

Melissa can be purchased as seed that is direct-sown or started indoors or as starts from a reputable nursery. If starting seeds indoors, sow 6-8 weeks before the last frost date of your region. Space plants 2-3 feet apart for best coverage and airflow. These plants do best when they are in 4-6 hours of sun each day, but can also tolerate some shade, especially in warmer climates in the late afternoon. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.5 and 7.0 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants are considered to be somewhat drought-tolerant, but will thrive with consistent moisture and produce more essential oils (and therefore flavor and scent) with regular irrigation. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two of soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Take care to not over-fertilize these herbs, as doing so can reduce the concentration of aromatic oils in the leaves and make them less potent. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flower spikes to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Removing flowers will also keep the leaves nice and ready for harvesting. In the middle of summertime when plants start to look a bit haggard, cut the plant back hard (to about a third of its size) for a flush of new growth and a second round of harvests. If Melissa plants are grown in a cramped space such as a tight border or container, they may need to be divided after 3-4 years to maintain good health. For instructions on how to successfully divide Lemon Balm plants, see the Propagation section below.

Caring for Melissa in Containers
Lemon Balm plants are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers, which can help to curtail their aggressive spreading tendencies. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Melissa plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.

Harvesting Melissa
Melissa foliage is harvested for its strong citrusy flavor, and is best harvested just before it blooms in springtime. This is when the leaves are packed with the essential oils. Plants should be between 6 and 8 inches tall before they are harvested; they should reach this size in about a month. In the morning, after dew has dried but before the heat of the day sets in, snip off leaves or entire stems. Use clean, sharp scissors or snips and make sure to leave at least 2/3 of the plant intact so that it can continue growing and producing more foliage. Fresh leaves will wilt and lose their flavor relatively quickly after harvesting - if you will not be using them immediately, they can be dried or frozen. Harvested stems can be bundled together and hung upside down in a cool, dark, dry place to cure. Once they are crispy, strip the leaves from the stems and store them in an airtight container in a dark, cool area. Fresh leaves can also be chopped and frozen in ice cube trays with olive oil or water.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Melissa, or Lemon Balm, can be propagated by division, cutting or seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the division or cutting method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant, especially if you are propagating a hybrid cultivar. To propagate your Lemon Balm plant, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Melissa by Seed

Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. The best potting medium for seed germination is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
Harvest your seeds. The seed heads on plants are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will continue to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
Get your container prepared. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 2-6 weeks from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 65 and 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.

Propagating Melissa by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
In early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 3-4 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new plant.

Propagating Melissa by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil, compost and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in very early spring (after the plant has entered dormancy, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every few years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:

Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the root(s). Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
Start to tease apart the roots with your fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick root section attached.
Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divisions and water thoroughly.
Apply a thick layer of mulch over the new planting to protect it from cold weather as it acclimates to its new home. Then, enjoy watching it sprout in the next growing season.