- Name: Lemon Balm - Other Common Names: Sweet Balm / Bee's Leaf / Honey Plant / Melissa / Garden Balm - Scientific Name: Melissa Officinalis - Color: White - Pale Yellow - Plant Seeds: Outdoors After Frost / Indoors Weeks Before Last Frost - Bloom Time: Summer - Days Until Harvest: 75 Days - Hardiness Zone: 4 - 9 (& Reseeds Itself Easily) - Plant Height: 12 - 18" - Plant Spacing: 12 - 15" - Light Requirements: Sun - Soil & Water Preferences: Average - Dry - Quantity: 1500 Seeds - Other: The Leaves Of The Lemon Balm Plant Do Have A Lovely Lemony Fragrance. The Leaves Are Commonly Used To Flavor Tea, Iced Tea, Soups, Sauces, Meats, & Desserts. The Leaves Can Be Frozen Or Dried & Stored For Later Use. The Crushed Leaves Can Also Be Rubbed On The Skin And Used As A Natural Mosquito Repellent. Among Lemon Balm's Herbal Qualities Are Its Antibacterial And Antiviral Properties. It Is Also Said To Be Effective At Reducing Stress, Helping To Improve Mood, & Improved Mental Performance. The Scientific Name 'Melissa' Comes From The Greek Word For Honeybee - The Plant Bears Small White Flowers Overflowing With Nectar That The Honeybee Dearly Loves.