Location of Lemon Balm

The growth habitat of lemon balm originated in the Eastern Mediterranean, West Africa, North & South Africa, and the mountain areas of Southern Europe. (1) As lemon balm gained popularity for medicinal, culinary, and cosmetic use it became naturalized in North America, Europe, and much of the world. Lemon balm is in the Labiatea family (mint) with common family characteristics found there in. Lemon balm is from 12 to 48 inches in height. It is a relatively hardy perennial able to survive winter temperatures of about minus 20 degrees Fahrenheit with some snow cover. It has a square stem, with occasional hairs, somewhat branching at the plant’s base then abundantly branching around the flowering tips.

Lemon balm’s leaves can differ in shape depending on their location on the plant. At lemon balm’s base the leaves are opposite, simple, cordate, petiolate, with crenate margins and reticular veination. Towards the top of the plant the leaf’s shape is more ovate with a smaller petiole. Both the top and base leaves have a rough, crinkled appearance with a medium to deep green color. When the foliage is brushed or crushed it emits a sweet lemon scent. Lemon balm’s flowers are two lipped, cream to white in color, growing in axillary cymes of up to 12 flowers, with a corolla longer than it’s calyx.

Unlike others in the mint family, lemon balm keeps itself relatively contained to manageable clumps as it does not send out root runners. Lemon balm is slow to germinate from seed but readily propagates from plant division and cuttings. Lemon balm grows in well- drained, average soil in full to partial sunlight. (2,3,4,5)

1. Online, www.complete-herbal.com <http://www.complete-herbal.com>
2. Chapter1, pg 12, “Growing & Using Herbs Successfully” by Betty E.M.Jacobs
3. Group 6, pg 16 & Chapter IX pg 68,69,70,71- “ The Herb Walk Manual” by LeArta Moulton
4. Pg 130, “Medicinal Plants” by Hans Fluck
Pg 181 & 182, “Health Plants of the World- Atlas of Medicinal Plants” by F. Bianchini & F. Corbetta