How to Grow Lemon Balm? A Complete Guide to Care Methods and Precautions
Temperature
The suitable growing temperature for lemon balm is between 10-20°C. Overall, it does not have high temperature requirements, but in winter it can also withstand temperatures below 0°C. If summer temperatures exceed 30°C, growth will be hindered and cooling is needed.
Sunlight
Lemon balm is best placed in a bright indoor spot, and normal indoor ventilation should be ensured. If placed in a special indoor location such as a bathroom where lighting is not ideal, then note that after being placed there for a period of time, the lemon balm should be moved to a spot with ample sunlight for light exposure.
Pruning
Lemon balm's branches and leaves grow relatively quickly, so timely pruning is needed. You can prune about once a week by simply cutting off the new leaves on the taller branches. If the leaves have black edges, cut those off as well.
Pests
The unique scent emitted by lemon balm can absorb harmful gases, so there is no need to worry too much about pest problems. As long as the water and temperature needed for growth are maintained, it will be fine.
Watering
If the lemon balm's branches and leaves wilt, it needs to be watered promptly. You can use clean water and water it about once every 5 days. You can also periodically add nutrient solution to ensure vigorous growth.
How to Grow Lemon Balm_Can It Be Kept in the Bedroom_Lemon Balm Care Methods
From the name, everyone should know what lemon balm does - it absorbs harmful gases from the air. Lemon balm not only has a great decorative effect but also purifies the air, making it an excellent potted plant. So how do you grow lemon balm? Can it be placed in the bedroom?
I. Lemon Balm Care Methods
1. Sunlight and ventilation: If the room has good lighting, place the lemon balm in a spot with sunlight exposure; normal indoor ventilation is sufficient. If the room's lighting is not great, such as in a bathroom or kitchen, then after placing the lemon balm in the room for 72 hours, move it to a spot with ample sunlight for 72 hours, or simply put it back afterward. When the weather is not cold, it can also be placed outdoors to absorb light and get fresh air.
2. Temperature: Lemon balm does not have high temperature requirements. It can withstand low temperatures in winter, but if summer temperatures reach above 30°C, growth will be restricted.
3. Watering: It is best to water with clean water or rice-washing water every 3-5 days. Lemon balm has strong self-repair ability - even if the branches and leaves wilt, as long as water is replenished immediately, it will recover quickly.
4. Pruning: Lemon balm grows very quickly. It is recommended to prune it once a week. If leaves have black edges or the leaves at the base become old and tough, do not worry - just remove them.
5. Pests: Since lemon balm emits volatile oils that can sterilize and absorb harmful gases, pest problems basically do not occur.
II. Precautions for Growing Lemon Balm
1. Lemon balm grows slowly in winter, so do not prune too much. If you do prune, be sure to place it in a spot with ample sunlight.
2. As long as the soil is not dry, there is no need to water. If it is dry, then it must be watered thoroughly.
3. When placed in the home for its air-purifying effect, after each use, put it in a spot with good sunlight and ventilation. Wait for it to absorb sunlight and get fresh air before using it again.
III. Can Lemon Balm Be Placed in the Bedroom?
Because lemon balm has a relatively good effect of absorbing toxic substances, many people keep it in their living spaces. However, many friends ask whether plants like lemon balm are suitable for placement in the bedroom. Actually, this question is not very complicated. For people, the bedroom is a very important resting place. Although plants like lemon balm have a good adsorption effect, at night they also perform respiration and release gases such as carbon dioxide, which is not very conducive to rest. So if your bedroom has good lighting, you can place plants like lemon balm in a well-lit spot in the bedroom during the day, and move them out of the bedroom when it is time to rest at night. This not only effectively reduces the content of polluting gases in the living space but also alleviates the problem of plants competing with people for oxygen at night.
The above islemon balm care methodsand whether lemon balm can be placed in the bedroom. If you have lemon balm at home, pay attention!
Lemon Balm Melissa Officinalis Illustrated Guide: How to Grow Lemon Balm / How to Propagate Lemon Balm
Lemon Balm ProfileLemon Balm Melissa Officinalis
Aliases: Mint balsam, bee balsam, bee balm, lemon balm, curly mint
Classification: Perennial herbaceous flower
Family and Genus: Plantae, Angiosperms, Dicotyledons, Lamiales, Lamiaceae, Mentha
Full bloom period: Summer
Scientific name of lemon balm: Lemon balm or curly mint. Aliases: Bee balsam, bee balm; Latin name: Melissa Officinalis. English name: Lemon balm. Origin: Native to the Mediterranean coast, found in Europe, Central Asia, North America, and Asia; the main production area is in France. Lemon balm, a perennial herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae family with persistent roots, is cold-tolerant, shade-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and also tolerant of pruning. In winter it can withstand low temperatures below 0°C; in summer, growth is restricted above 30°C. The most suitable growing temperature is between 10-20°C. Plant height is about 50 cm, stems and leaves have...
Lemon Balm Care Methods and Precautions: Introduction to Lemon Balm
Scientific name of lemon balm: Lemon balm or curly mint. Aliases: Bee balsam, bee balm; Latin name: Melissa Officinalis. English name: Lemon balm. Origin: Native to the Mediterranean coast, found in Europe, Central Asia, North America, and Asia; the main production area is in France.
Lemon balm, a perennial herbaceous plant of the Lamiaceae family with persistent roots, is cold-tolerant, shade-tolerant, drought-tolerant, and also tolerant of pruning. In winter it can withstand low temperatures below 0°C; in summer, growth is restricted above 30°C. The most suitable growing temperature is between 10-20°C. Plant height is about 50 cm. The stems and leaves have a Diaopai soap fragrance, verticillaster inflorescence, lip-shaped pale pink-purple flowers, blooming from July to August. Lemon balm is easy to propagate and can be grown from seed, cuttings, and division.
Morphological Characteristics of Lemon Balm
Lemon balm, plant height 50 cm, stems and leaves have a soap fragrance, verticillaster inflorescence, lip-shaped pale pink-purple flowers, blooming from July to August. Heat-tolerant and cold-tolerant, relatively drought-tolerant and waterlogging-tolerant, and also tolerant of pruning. Prune once before the Start of Winter for safe overwintering. In winter it can withstand low temperatures below 0°C; in summer, growth is restricted above 30°C. The most suitable growing temperature is between 10-20°C. Lemon balm is easy to propagate and can be grown from seed, cuttings, and division.
Lemon balm is a very cold-tolerant plant; even at low temperatures below zero, it remains a lush green. It is very popular with bees. Its light green leaves are very beautiful, and when rubbed, they give off a lemon fragrance. With a lemon-like fresh scent, it can relieve headaches, abdominal pain, and toothaches. It also helps treat bronchitis and digestive system diseases.
Ecological Habits of Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is heat-tolerant, cold-tolerant, shade-tolerant, drought-tolerant, waterlogging-tolerant, and tolerant of pruning. In winter it can withstand low temperatures below 0°C; in summer, growth is restricted above 30°C. The most suitable growing temperature is between 10-20°C. Prune once before the Start of Winter for safe overwintering. Lemon balm is easy to propagate and can be grown from seed, cuttings, and division. Plant height 50 cm, stems and leaves have a soap fragrance, verticillaster inflorescence, lip-shaped white flowers, heat-tolerant and cold-tolerant, relatively drought-tolerant and waterlogging-tolerant.
Lemon balm is robust by nature and, compared to other herbs, is more heat-tolerant and will not suffer root rot even with abundant soil moisture. Because the seeds are positively photoblastic, no soil covering is needed after sowing, and the germination rate is about 50%. For cuttings, use 5 cm-long terminal buds, cut 5 times and insert into clean medium; they root easily, and can be transplanted in about 2-3 weeks. However, note that lemon balm leaves are thin, so you must water frequently to maintain humidity and provide 50% shade; otherwise, the cuttings will dry out before they can root. For the division method, the parts of the plant stem that touch the ground easily grow roots; simply cut them off and replant.
Cultivation Techniques for Lemon Balm: Watering
Water with clean water or rice-washing water every 3-5 days. If the branches and leaves wilt due to lack of water, replenish water immediately and they will recover quickly. For supplemental nutrient solution, general commonly used plant nutrient solution can be used.
Pruning
Lemon balm grows very quickly. It is recommended to prune once a week. Simply cut above the new leaves growing on the taller nodes. If black-edged leaves appear or the leaves at the base become old, do not worry - just pluck them off. (Growth is slow in winter, so prune as little as possible; after pruning, place in a spot with ample sunlight.)
Ventilation
If the room has good lighting, place the lemon balm in a spot with sunlight exposure; normal indoor ventilation is sufficient. If the room's lighting is not great, such as in a bathroom or kitchen, then after placing the lemon balm in the room for 72 hours, move it to a spot with ample sunlight for 72 hours, or simply put it back afterward. When the weather is not cold, it can also be placed outdoors to absorb light and get fresh air.
Sunlight
Lemon balm prefers bright light. If the room has good lighting, place the lemon balm in a spot with sunlight exposure; normal indoor ventilation is sufficient. If the room's lighting is not great, such as in a bathroom or kitchen, then after placing the lemon balm in the room for 72 hours, move it to a spot with ample sunlight for 72 hours, or simply put it back afterward. When the weather is not cold, it can also be placed outdoors to absorb light and get fresh air.
Temperature
Lemon balm does not have high temperature requirements for cultivation. In winter it can withstand low temperatures below 0°C, but in summer, growth is restricted above 30°C. The most suitable growing temperature is between 10-20°C.
Distribution Range of Lemon Balm
Lemon balm is native to the southern coast of the Mediterranean in Europe, and can be found in Europe, Central Asia, North America, and Asia. The main production area is in France.
Lemon Balm's Uses: Can Improve Appetite and Promote Digestion
With a refreshing and sweet taste, it is suitable for drinking when you have a cold or during sweaty summers. It can improve appetite and promote digestion, and is suitable both before and after meals. Used to replace lemon for seasoning, lemon balm's fresh lemon scent is best at improving appetite without lemon's sourness, making it suitable for adding to all kinds of dishes and desserts. With a lemon-like fresh scent, it can relieve headaches, abdominal pain, and toothaches, and has pain-relieving effects. It regulates respiratory system diseases and stabilizes mood; it also helps treat bronchitis and digestive system diseases.
Specifically Absorbs Toxic and Harmful Gases from Indoor Air
Such as: formaldehyde, radon, benzene, ammonia, sulfur dioxide, as well as smoke odors, peculiar smells, and carbon dioxide. It releases negative ions quickly and sterilizes and kills bacteria. Place one large pot per 10 to 15 sq m, and one small pot per 8 sq m. After renovating a new house or new furniture, open all the doors and drawers of the new furniture, and after 72 hours there will be a noticeable elimination effect.
Cultural Background of Lemon Balm
Tested by the Center for Disease Control and Prevention
1. Lemon balm's 3-hour disinfection rate for formaldehyde is 92.4%, and its 72-hour elimination rate is 98.5%, so lemon balm has a very good absorption effect on formaldehyde;
2. Lemon balm's 3-hour elimination rate for total volatile organic compounds (benzene, toluene, xylene) is 13.6%, and its 72-hour elimination rate is 84.8%, so lemon balm has a significant absorption effect on gas mixtures of total volatile organic compounds (benzene, toluene, xylene);
3. Lemon balm's 3-hour elimination rate for carbon monoxide is 20.1%, and its 72-hour elimination rate is 71.3%, so lemon balm has a certain absorption effect on carbon monoxide;
4. Moreover, lemon balm grows well in toxic and harmful environments.
Lemon Balm Pictures