Lemon Balm - How To Plant, Grow And Harvest

Lemon balm is generally robust, healthy and easy to grow, with few problems. In fact, it can be a little too vigorous, often forming a large clump in just a few years. It will also self-seed readily if you leave the spent flowers to produce seeds.

Although fully hardy, lemon balm will suffer in cold, soggy conditions over winter, which can cause the roots to rot, so make sure the soil or compost Can refer to either home-made garden compost or seed/potting compost: • Garden compost is a soil improver made from decomposed plant waste, usually in a compost bin or heap. It is added to soil to improve its fertility, structure and water-holding capacity. Seed or potting composts are used for growing seedlings or plants in containers - a wide range of commercially produced peat-free composts are available, made from a mix of various ingredients, such as loam, composted bark, coir and sand, although you can mix your own. doesn’t get waterlogged Describes soil or potting compost that is saturated with water. The water displaces air from the spaces between soil particles and plant roots can literally drown, unless they are adapted to growing in waterlogged conditions. Waterlogging is common on poorly drained soil or when heavy soil is compacted. . Plants in containers are best moved into a sheltered spot over winter, out of excessive rain. Lemon balm leaves may sometimes be affected by leafhoppers and powdery mildew A white powdery fungal growth on the surface of leaves, buds, petals and shoots of roses and many other plants. The foliage may become discoloured, heavily infected young leaves may be curled and distorted, and the plant’s vigour may be reduced. – cutting back affected stems will stimulate new, fresh shoots. See Common problems below for more information.

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Common Problems

Powdery mildews

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Sage and Ligurian leafhoppers

Sage and Ligurian leafhoppers can cause a coarse pale mottling on sage, rosemary, lavender and related plants in the spring and summer.

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