200+Lemon Balm Seeds(Melissa Officinalis)Common Balm Mint Sweet Balm Heirloom Tea Culinary Medicinal Herb USA
Strongly lemon scented, Lemon Balm is a popular ingredient of herbal teas and potpourris! Fresh leaves give a nice lemon flavor to salads, soups, sauces and meats. Lemon Balm is also valued for its medicinal properties! Used to treat colds, flu, indigestion, etc. A member of the mint family, lemon balm dates back over 2,000 years for use as a medicinal herb primarily to treat stress and anxiety, insomnia, and indigestion. It is a perennial that grows up to 30 inches tall and produces insignificant pale yellow flowers in summer. A great candidate for container growing. It thrives in full sun or partial shade. Should be mulched to protect plant in harsh climates.
Sowing and Growing
Sow lemon balm seeds inside 6 to 8 weeks before the average last frost date for your area or outside once the soil can be worked. Germination will take about 2 weeks. Keep the soil moist but not wet. The plant will need more water as it grows. Lemon balm grows to about 2 feet tall and wide. Lemon balm will go dormant through the winter season. Be sure not to overwater as this can lead to root rot.
Harvesting
Harvest lemon balm by picking off fresh leaves as needed or gather cut stems into bunches and hang upside down to dry. Flavor is best as the plant nears flowering and dried leaves should be used within 6 months. Store in a cool, dry space. Use coconut oil or petroleum jelly to create your own salve.