Lemon Balm Growing Guide
Growing Lemon Balm is easier than you think. This guide walks you through everything you need — from planting your first seed to harvesting.
At a Glance
Difficulty
Easy
Category
Herb
Sun Exposure
Full Sun, Partial Sun, Partial Shade
Frost Tolerance
Frost Tender
Growing Zones
Zones 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9
Plant Family
Lamiaceae
Growing Season
Cool & Warm Season
Plant Lifecycle
Perennial
Also grows well as
When To Start
First Chance to Plant
14 Days Before Last Frost
Last Chance to Plant
30 Days Before First Frost
When should you plant Lemon Balm?
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Your Lemon Balm Planting Window
Start planting
May 15, 2026
Last chance
Sep 10, 2026
The Journey Ahead
Lemon Balm's Lifecycle
Seedling
Mature Plant
Seed Production
Step 1
Prepare Your Space
0.5 cm
Seeding Depth
30 cm
Plant Spacing
45 cm
Row Spacing
4
Plants / Sq Ft
Vertical Growing
Yes – Tower.
Method: Tower.
Succession Planting
Yes.
Good Companions
Bad Companions
Step 2
Planting & Sprouting
Expect sprouts in 10–14 days
Growing Tips
- 1Lemon balm thrives in full sun to partial shade, so choose a spot that gets at least 4-6 hours of sunlight daily.
- 2Water it regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- 3Plant in well-draining soil with a pH of 6.7 to 7.3, and space plants about 12-18 inches apart to allow for good air circulation.
- 4To manage pests, encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs and use organic insecticidal soap if needed.
Seedling Phase
Step 3
Growth & Maturity
~70
Days to Maturity
60 cm
Mature Height
60 cm
Mature Width
Pests to Watch For
Diseases to Watch For
Mature Plant
Step 4
Harvesting
Harvest Window
60 days
When to Pick
Harvest leaves continually through season
How to Harvest
- 1Harvest lemon balm just before it flowers, when the leaves are most flavorful.
- 2Use sharp scissors or pruning shears to cut the stems about 2 inches above the base, leaving enough foliage for the plant to continue growing.
- 3Avoid cutting more than one-third of the plant at a time to prevent stress.
Step 5
Saving Seeds
How to Save Seeds
Saving seeds from your Lemon Balm plant is easy and rewarding! Once your plant has flowered and the blooms start to dry out, simply snip off the flower heads and gently rub them between your fingers to release the tiny black seeds. Let the seeds dry for a few days on a paper towel, then store them in a labeled envelope or small jar in a cool, dry place—an airtight container in your kitchen cupboard works great. You’ve got this—saving seeds is a simple way to keep your garden growing year after year!
Seed Production
Feeling inspired?
Grow Lemon Balm from seed.
Mint family, lemon flavour — perfect for tea and lemonade. Buy a pack and get started.
$2.25
CAD
In Stock
