Bee Balm vs Lemon Balm

What is Bee Balm

Bee balm is a perennial flowering plant that belongs to the mint family. It is native to North America and is known for its showy, colorful flowers, which are often red, pink, or purple. Bee balm is a popular choice for gardens because it attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds.

The plant is also known for its fragrant leaves, which have a pleasant, minty aroma. In addition to its ornamental value, bee balm has several medicinal properties and is used in traditional herbal remedies to treat a variety of ailments, including colds, fevers, and sore throats.

Scientific name

The scientific name for bee balm is Monarda didyma. It is also known by other common names, including Oswego tea, bergamot, and crimson beebalm.

Growth Habit

Bee balm is a herbaceous perennial plant that typically grows to a height of about 2-4 feet. It has an upright, bushy growth habit and produces several slender stems that are covered in hairy, fragrant leaves. The plant’s showy flowers are arranged in clusters at the top of the stems and are typically red, pink, or purple. Bee balm prefers well-draining, moist soil and full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 4-9.

Bee balm is a relatively easy plant to grow and is known for its ability to attract a wide variety of pollinators, including bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. It is a popular choice for gardens and can be used in a variety of garden settings, including flower beds, borders, and pots. In addition to its ornamental value, bee balm has several medicinal properties and is often used in traditional herbal remedies to treat a variety of ailments, including colds, fevers, and sore throats.

The plant’s fragrant leaves can also be used to make a refreshing tea. Bee balm is generally easy to care for and requires minimal maintenance, although it may need to be divided every few years to prevent overcrowding.

Bee Balm Care

Here are some tips for caring for bee balm:

1. Plant bee balm in well-draining soil in a location that receives full sun to partial shade.
2. Water the plant regularly, making sure to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
3. Fertilise bee balm with a balanced, all-purpose fertiliser once a month during the growing season.
4. Deadhead the flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming.
5. Prune the plant back by about one-third in early spring to promote healthy new growth.
6. Divide the plant every few years to prevent overcrowding and promote healthy growth.
7. Protect the plant from extreme temperatures and pests, such as slugs and snails.

By following these care guidelines, you can help your bee balm thrive and enjoy its colourful flowers and fragrant leaves for many seasons.

Varieties

There are several varieties of bee balm, including:

Monarda didyma:

This is the most common variety of bee balm and is known for its large, showy flowers that are typically red, pink, or purple.

Monarda fistulosa:

This variety of bee balm has smaller, more delicate flowers and a more slender growth habit than M. didyma. It is also known as wild bergamot or bee balm.

Monarda citriodora:

This variety of bee balm is known for its lemon-scented leaves and pale purple flowers. It is also known as lemon beebalm or horsemint.

Monarda bradburiana:

This variety of bee balm is native to the eastern United States and has purple-pink flowers and narrow, lance-shaped leaves. It is also known as Bradbury’s beebalm.

Monarda punctata:

This variety of bee balm is native to the central and eastern United States and has small, yellow flowers and dotted leaves. It is also known as dotted mint or horsemint.

Each variety of bee balm has its unique characteristics, so you can choose the one that best fits your gardening needs and preferences.

Growing Bee Balm

Here are some steps for growing bee balm in your garden:

1. Choose a location that receives full sun to partial shade and has well-draining soil.
2. Prepare the soil by adding compost or well-rotted manure to improve fertility and moisture retention.
3. Plant bee balm in the prepared soil, spacing the plants about 18 inches apart.
4. Water the plants regularly, making sure to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
5. Fertilise the plants with a balanced, all-purpose fertiliser once a month during the growing season.
6. Deadhead the flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming.
7. Prune the plants back by about one-third in early spring to promote healthy new growth.
8. Divide the plants every few years to prevent overcrowding and promote healthy growth.

By following these steps, you can successfully grow and care for bee balm in your garden.

What is Lemon Balm

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is a perennial herb that belongs to the mint family. It is native to the Mediterranean region and is known for its lemon-scented leaves and delicate, white or pale yellow flowers. Lemon balm is a popular choice for gardens because it is easy to grow and has several medicinal properties.

It is used in traditional herbal remedies to treat a variety of ailments, including anxiety, insomnia, and indigestion. The plant’s leaves can also be used to make a refreshing tea or added to cooking to add a citrus flavor. Lemon balm is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 4-9.

Scientific Name

The scientific name for lemon balm is Melissa officinalis. It is also known by other common names, including common balm, sweet balm, and balm mint.

Growth Habit

Lemon balm is a herbaceous perennial plant that typically grows to a height of about 2-3 feet. It has an upright, bushy growth habit and produces several slender stems that are covered in hairy, lemon-scented leaves. The plant’s delicate flowers are arranged in clusters at the top of the stems and are typically white or pale yellow.

Lemon balm prefers well-draining, moist soil and full sun to partial shade. It is hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 4-9.

Lemon Balm Care

Here are some tips for caring for lemon balm:

1. Plant lemon balm in well-draining soil in a location that receives full sun to partial shade.
2. Water the plant regularly, making sure to keep the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged.
3. Fertilise lemon balm with a balanced, all-purpose fertiliser once a month during the growing season.
4. Deadhead the flowers regularly to encourage continuous blooming.
5. Prune the plant back by about one-third in early spring to promote healthy new growth.
6. Divide the plant every few years to prevent overcrowding and promote healthy growth.
7. Protect the plant from extreme temperatures and pests, such as slugs and snails.

By following these care guidelines, you can help your lemon balm thrive and enjoy its fragrant leaves and delicate flowers for many seasons.

Flowers

Lemon balm has small, delicate flowers that are typically white or pale yellow. They are arranged in clusters at the top of the plant’s slender stems and are often lightly fragrant. The flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators and are a popular choice for gardens because of their delicate beauty and a pleasant aroma.

Lemon balm flowers typically bloom from early summer to early fall, depending on the climate and growing conditions.

What is the Difference between Bee Balm and Lemon Balm?

Bee balm (Monarda didyma) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) are both perennial herbs that belong to the mint family. However, there are some key differences between the two plants:

Appearance:

Bee balm has showy, colorful flowers that are typically red, pink, or purple. Lemon balm has delicate, white, or pale yellow flowers.

Scent:

Bee balm has fragrant leaves that have a minty aroma, while lemon balm has lemon-scented leaves.

Growth habit:

Bee balm typically grows to a height of about 2-4 feet and has an upright, bushy growth habit. Lemon balm typically grows to a height of about 2-3 feet and has a similar upright, bushy growth habit.

Native range:

Bee balm is native to North America, while the lemon balm is native to the Mediterranean region.

Uses:

Both bee balm and lemon balm have several medicinal properties and are used in traditional herbal remedies to treat a variety of ailments. However, lemon balm is more commonly used for its calming and sleep-inducing effects, while bee balm is more commonly used to treat colds and fevers.

Uses for Bee Balm

Bee balm (Monarda didyma) has several medicinal properties and has been used in traditional herbal remedies for centuries. Here are some common uses for bee balm:

Colds and fevers:

Bee balm has antiviral and antibacterial properties and has traditionally been used to treat colds, fevers, and other respiratory infections.

Sore throat:

The plant’s astringent properties make it effective at reducing inflammation and soothing sore throats.

Skin irritation:

Bee balm can be used topically to treat insect bites, cuts, and other skin irritation.

Digestive issues:

Bee balm has been used to treat indigestion, bloating, and other digestive complaints.

Anxiety and stress:

Some people use bee balm to reduce anxiety and stress due to its calming effects.

In addition to its medicinal uses, bee balm is also popular for its fragrant leaves, which can be used to make a refreshing tea. The plant’s colourful flowers are also attractive to bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds and make it a popular choice for gardens.

Uses for Lemon Balm

Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) has several medicinal properties and has been used in traditional herbal remedies for centuries. Here are some common uses for lemon balm:

Anxiety and stress:

Lemon balm has a calming effect and has traditionally been used to reduce anxiety, stress, and insomnia.

Digestive issues:

Lemon balm has been used to treat indigestion, bloating, and other digestive complaints due to its carminative properties.

Skin irritation:

Lemon balm can be used topically to treat insect bites, cuts, and other skin irritation.

Cold sores:

Lemon balm has antiviral properties and has been used to treat cold sores and other herpes infections.

Headaches:

Lemon balm has traditionally been used to treat headaches due to its calming and pain-relieving effects.

In addition to its medicinal uses, lemon balm is also popular for its lemon-scented leaves, which can be used to make a refreshing tea or added to cooking to add a citrus flavour. The plant’s delicate, white or pale yellow flowers are also attractive to bees and other pollinators.

Conclusion

In conclusion, bee balm (Monarda didyma) and lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) are both perennial herbs that belong to the mint family and have several medicinal properties. Bee balm is known for its showy, colorful flowers and minty-scented leaves, and is often used to treat colds, fevers, and sore throats. Lemon balm is known for its lemon-scented leaves and delicate, white or pale yellow flowers, and is often used to reduce anxiety, stress, and insomnia.

Both plants are easy to grow and make a beautiful addition to any garden. While they have some similarities, they also have some key differences, including their appearance, scent, growth habit, and native range.