Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Lemon Barm (Scientific - Melissa officinalis)  Lemon balm is an ancient herb native to southern Europe that is closely related to mint. It features similar wrinkled, oval-shaped leaves and boasts a fresh citrusy smell and scent that many home cooks love to add to salads, soups, and more. Lemon balm also has a unique medicinal history—its use as a curative can be traced back to ancient Greece and Rome, where its leaves were used in a variety of tonics and teas, and its essential oils were extracted to aid with digestive issues.

The versatile herb is a rapid grower outdoors—after planting in early spring, it's not unusual to see a lemon balm plant grow to over a foot tall (sometimes, even two!) in just a single season. For that reason, many gardeners choose to plant lemon balm in containers, whether grown indoors or out, in an attempt to control its invasive nature. Like many other herbs, lemon balm prospers best outdoors but can be grown successfully inside as well, as long as proper attention is paid to its unique needs.

Care

Toxic for Cats & Dogs*