Growing Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is a member of the mint family. It’s a perennial herb. If you like fresh herbal tea then lemon balm is definitely an herb that belongs in your garden! And it's extra fun if you grow your own lemon balm plant from seed.
Lemon balm in the vegetable garden
Lemon balm can actually grow in any garden and smells amazing. You can let this plant run wild in the garden but it is advisable to put the lemon balm in pots or to keep a close eye on it so it won’t take over the entire garden.
When to start sowing lemon balm
From the beginning of April you can start sowing lemon balm seeds indoors or in the greenhouse. It is also possible to sow the seeds directly in the ground from mid-May. It can take 2 to 3 weeks before the first seeds germinate . Keep the soil moist during this period but not soaking wet.
Lemon balm cuttings
If the lemon balm plant looks healthy and strong, you can start with cutting the lemon balm. Simply just cut a few inches from the soft tips of an established plant, put it in a planter and give it immediately water. It should root in about 3 to 4 weeks.
Sowing lemon balm seeds in a pot
From March you can start sowing the lemon balm seeds in a pot and you can transplant the young plants outdoors once all danger of frost has passed. Make sure the pots are in a sunny, warm spot. Sprinkle the seeds on the soil and gently water it. Cover them with a thin layer of soil.
Drying lemon balm
It is possible to dry lemon balm, but the amazing smell and taste will disappear. You can air dry the lemon balm or dry them in a dehydrator but there is a change the leaves will turn black in the dehydrator.
Lemon balm health benefits
Lemon balm is considered a calming herb. Other health benefits are :
- Improve sleep
- Promote defecation
- Reducing different types of stomach cramps, intestinal cramps and menstrual cramps
- It would also help the Spleen to purify the body against starting bacteria.
- Relaxation (it would ease nervousness)
Growing tea herbs
Mint is often used as a tea herb, but you can also use dried rose petals, nettle and blackberry leaves for tea. You can mix 50% herbs and 50% tea. Lemon balm tea taste great on it’s own but you can also mix it with other herbs like mint, chamomile, lavender or rose petals.
Lemon balm seeds
In the webshop of Dutch Garden Seeds we have the regular lemon balm seeds and also the organic lemon balm seeds. Both types are also included in the various organic herb seed packages and in the regular herb seed package.
Herb Seeds
Growing herbs is a healthy activity. Besides that you are actively involved, it is also wonderful to always have fresh herbs within reach. Almost all herbs have a medicinal effect and health benefits . In the webshop of Dutch Garden Seeds we have more than 40 different types of herbs and about 15 Organic herbal seeds.
Free shipping on orders with seeds above € 25,- 
