Lemon Balm Seeds

Hardy Perennial
Also known as bee balm, lemon balm produces bright green leaves with an aromatic lemon scent. Often grown for their fine tea qualities, lemon balm is also very attractive to bees. Can be grown indoors year-round with multiple sowings and harvests or seasonally outdoors.

Sow Indoors: all year round to grow indoors. Sow from February to May for transplanting outdoors.
Transplant: April - July
Sow Outdoors: May - August
Harvest: January - December

Sow Indoors
Sow seeds into a tray of good quality free draining compost. Lightly cover with compost or a fine grit and place in a propagator or seal inside a clear bag. This will create humidity to help start germination. Place in a light warm location until seedlings start to emerge, the bag or lid can then be removed but seedlings must be kept warm and away from drafts. Germination can take 14 - 21 days.
Once the seedlings are large enough to handle, they can be transplanted into larger pots and placed in the kitchen or outdoors. If plants are to be placed outdoors, they must be hardened off by placing them outdoors during the day and bringing them back indoors at night. Repeat for 10-15 days. Plants can be planted into beds and borders but should be protected from slugs and snails.

Sow Outdoors
Seeds can be sown direct outdoors into pots once the risk of frost has passed. Thin seedlings to 30cm apart once they are large enough to handle.
Harvest leaves regularly. Tear rather than chop to help retain the plants aroma. Leaves can be dried or frozen. For a fresh supply of leaves indoors year-round, sow seeds every 12-14 weeks.
This plant has been known to spread so is best confined to a container. Containers can be sunken into the ground to integrate plants into beds and borders.

Growing height: 50cm