Lemon balm, Melissa Officinales is a well-known spice and medicinal plant. It is originally from North Africa and Central and West Asia. Lemon balm belongs to a plant genus with five amazing species in the family of coriaceous plants.
The stems of the lemon balm genus are square, just like all plants in the mint family. The leaves are opposite and usually oval or beautifully heart-shaped. The leaves emit a lovely citrus scent and the flowers are either yellow-white or white.
There is a lot that can be done with lemon balm, including herbal teas, flavorful drinks, delicious sauces, and fantastic marinades. This wonderful herb is an incredible flavoring agent but also works as a decoration on dishes and desserts. Our favorite tip for this wonderful herb is to make a lemon balm ice cream with meringue, honey, and raspberries. So simple yet completely magical!
Lemon balm, also known as heart's delight, is a perennial herb with incredibly strong growth. So strong, in fact, that it is now discouraged from being planted directly in the ground as it spreads and competes with other vegetation. However, the variety is completely fantastic in pots or raised beds where it can proudly spread out and show off as the amazing herb that lemon balm actually is. It is incredibly easy to grow and difficult to fail with thanks to its strong growth.
Lemon balm can be started from seed but works just as well when sown directly. It also works great to grow indoors on the windowsill or under some grow lights year-round. It thrives best in well-drained and rich soil that is filled with nutrients, but thanks to its strong growth, lemon balm grows in most soils. The more you harvest from it, the bushier and more lush the plant becomes. Lemon balm also works great for hydroponic cultivation!
