How to Grow Lemon Balm in Australia
A year-round herb crop for the home garden
Growing Lemon Balm at home is well within reach for most Australian gardeners, and this guide walks you through every step. It is rated beginner to grow. Saves ~$3-5/week on herbal tea. One plant provides unlimited supply.
This guide covers when to plant Lemon Balm in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to sow and space it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Lemon Balm is a year-round crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Common Lemon Balm
Standard form. Strong lemon scent, vigorous growth. The tea-garden staple.
Try: Yates, Mr Fothergill's, Bunnings, any herb nursery
Aurea (Golden)
Golden-green leaves. Less vigorous but ornamental. Same lemon flavour.
Try: Diggers, specialist herb nurseries
Position and Soil
Give Lemon Balm part sun to light shade. It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7.5. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 20cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Sowing and Spacing
Sow seed on the surface, barely covered. Thin or space plants to about 30 cm apart. Seedlings usually appear in around 14 days, fastest when the soil is between 12 and 22 degrees.
Melissa officinalis. Lemon-scented perennial herb in the mint family. Spreading habit but less aggressive than mint. Best in part shade to prevent leaf scorch. Attracts bees. Calming herbal tea. Self-seeds freely. Works in every Australian climate zone.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 4 L per plant every 3 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Few. The main diseases to watch are Powdery mildew. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Lemon Balm is typically ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months). Fridge in a damp cloth for 3-4 days. Dry leaves store for months.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, lemon balm is good brewed fresh as a calming herbal tea, added to fruit salads and desserts, muddled into cocktails and lemonade and chopped into compound butter for fish. Nutritionally: traditional calming and sleep-promoting herb and contains rosmarinic acid antioxidant.
Companion Planting
Lemon Balm grows well alongside Tomato, Brassicas and Fruit trees. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Lemon Balm Growing
Add lemon balm to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Lemon Balm in Australia?
Lemon Balm is a year-round crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is sown in March, April, May, June, July, August, September and October. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Lemon Balm take to grow?
Lemon Balm is generally ready to harvest in around 60 days (about 2 months).
Can I grow Lemon Balm in a pot?
Yes. Lemon Balm grows well in a container of 20cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Lemon Balm need?
Give it part sun to light shade for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Lemon Balm in the Plant Library
