Lemon Bee Balm Seeds (Monarda citriodora)

Grow Lemon Bee Balm seeds for towers of lavender-to-pink flowers and refreshing citrus-scented foliage. Monarda citriodora brings a relaxed wildflower look to herb gardens and flower beds, with tall, sturdy stems for cutting and nectar-rich blooms that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Enjoy its lemony fragrance as you gather flowers for a vase or leaves for the kitchen.

Plant Highlights

• Botanical name: Monarda citriodora.
• Common names: Lemon Bee Balm, Lemon Beebalm, Lemon Horsemint, Plains Horsemint, Lemon Bergamot, Purple Horsemint, and Lemon Mint.
• Origin: Native to the United States.
• Life cycle: Annual; sow again each year or allow plants to set seed.
• Height: Approximately 36 inches.
• Flowers: Lavender to pink, with bloom clusters approximately 1 1/2–2 inches across.
• Bloom season: Primarily summer; flowering may begin in spring and continue into late summer, depending on conditions.
• Growing range: USDA Zones 3–10 as an annual.
• Light: Full sun to partial shade.
• Soil: Well-drained soil with a pH of 6.6–7.8.
• Deer resistance: Generally deer-resistant, though no plant is deer-proof.

Sowing and Germination

Direct sow in a prepared area in spring. Seeds need light to germinate: press them onto the soil surface rather than burying them. The fine seed should remain exposed to light; avoid an opaque soil covering.

• Germination temperature: 60–70°F.
• Typical germination time: 10–30 days.
• Moisture: Keep the seedbed consistently moist through germination and while seedlings establish, until plants reach approximately 10–12 inches tall.
• Plant spacing: Approximately 18 inches apart.
• Large-area sowing rate: Approximately 3 pounds per acre.

Growing and Seasonal Care

Choose a sunny or partly shaded site with good drainage and allow room for the tall flowering stems. If you want plants to reseed, allow seeds to mature before mowing or cutting down the planting. As an annual, Lemon Bee Balm must establish from seed again for the following season.

Container Growing

Choose a sturdy container with drainage holes and room for the plant's approximately 36-inch height and 18-inch spacing. Use a well-draining potting mix and place in full sun to partial shade. Surface sow as described above, keeping seeds moist until germination. Check container moisture regularly and allow excess water to drain freely.

Flowers and Kitchen Uses

The blooms and leaves are edible, with a minty, spicy flavor. Use leaves to flavor salads, cooked dishes, and herbal teas, or pair their aromatic character with fish, fruit, and desserts. The tall flowering stems also make distinctive cut flowers.

Seed Pack Options

Choose from 300 seeds, 1,000 seeds, a 1/4-ounce pack, or a 1-ounce pack. The approximate seed count is 1,207,000 seeds per pound; actual counts in weight-based packs vary.