Bee Balm

Botanical Name

:

Monarda spp.

Plant Type

:

Flowering perennial

Seasons

:

Plant in spring or fall; Blooms in summer and fall

Sun Level

:

Full sun with good air circulation; at least six hours of full sun daily

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

Aim for a soil temperature between 65–70°F (18– 21°C)

Soil Type

:

Moist soil rich in organic matter; well-drained soil

Germination

:

Typically occurs within 10 to 25 days after sowing, but can sometimes take as long as 30 days

P.H. Level

:

6.0–7.0

Water/Irrigation

:

Consistent, moderate watering to maintain evenly moist soil; at least 1 inch of water per week

Fertilization

:

Generally not necessary as it thrives in soil rich in organic matter; if needed, use a slow-release 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring, or top-dress with compost

Habit

:

Mounding

Propagation

:

Division, seed, pruning

Final Plant Height

:

4 ft tall, with dwarf varieties reaching only 15 inches in height

Spread

:

3–4 ft, but dwarf varieties have a spread of 18–24 inches

Flowers

:

Open, daisy-like shape, with tubular petals in shades of red, pink, purple, and white

Attracts

:

Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, pollinators, songbirds

Uses

:

Pollinator gardens, cottage gardens, and borders. In herbal medicine and teas to help manage digestion issues like bloating and nausea

Companions

:

Basil, squash, cucumbers, turnips, and tomatoes

Pruning

:

Prune by one-third to one-half in the spring to promote compact growth and encourage later blooming.

Toxicity

:

Non-toxic to both humans and pets

Pests

:

Aphids, spider mites, thrips, and stalk borers

Diseases

:

Fungal diseases like powdery mildew

Fun Fact

:

The name “bee balm” comes from a popular salve made from its resin, traditionally used to soothe bee stings

Additional Info

:

Provide good air circulation to reduce the risk of powdery mildew

Botanical Name

:

Monarda spp.

Plant Type

:

Flowering perennial

Seasons

:

Plant in spring or fall; Blooms in summer and fall

Sun Level

:

Full sun with good air circulation; at least six hours of full sun daily

Ideal Soil Temperature for Planting

:

Aim for a soil temperature between 65–70°F (18– 21°C)

Soil Type

:

Moist soil rich in organic matter; well-drained soil

Germination

:

Typically occurs within 10 to 25 days after sowing, but can sometimes take as long as 30 days

P.H. Level

:

6.0–7.0

Water/Irrigation

:

Consistent, moderate watering to maintain evenly moist soil; at least 1 inch of water per week

Fertilization

:

Generally not necessary as it thrives in soil rich in organic matter; if needed, use a slow-release 10-10-10 fertilizer in early spring, or top-dress with compost

Habit

:

Mounding

Propagation

:

Division, seed, pruning

Final Plant Height

:

4 ft tall, with dwarf varieties reaching only 15 inches in height

Spread

:

3–4 ft, but dwarf varieties have a spread of 18–24 inches

Flowers

:

Open, daisy-like shape, with tubular petals in shades of red, pink, purple, and white

Attracts

:

Bees, butterflies, hummingbirds, pollinators, songbirds

Uses

:

Pollinator gardens, cottage gardens, and borders. In herbal medicine and teas to help manage digestion issues like bloating and nausea

Companions

:

Basil, squash, cucumbers, turnips, and tomatoes

Pruning

:

Prune by one-third to one-half in the spring to promote compact growth and encourage later blooming.

Toxicity

:

Non-toxic to both humans and pets

Pests

:

Aphids, spider mites, thrips, and stalk borers

Diseases

:

Fungal diseases like powdery mildew

Fun Fact

:

The name “bee balm” comes from a popular salve made from its resin, traditionally used to soothe bee stings

Additional Info

:

Provide good air circulation to reduce the risk of powdery mildew

Written by Nondiah Khalayi – https://www.linkedin.com/in/nondiah-khalayi/