Jefferson Seed Library

Bee Balm

Loved by hummingbirds bee balm is an important nectar plant for bees and other pollinators. As a member of the mint family, the dried leaves make both a fragrant potpourri and delicious tea. 

  • Variety
 Wild Bergamot
  • Scientific Name
 Monarda fistulosa
  • Growing Level
 Easy
  • Seed Saving Level
 Easy
  • Seed Storage
 2 years if properly stored
  • Life Cycle
 Perennial (zones 4-9)
  • Frost Hardy?
 Yes
  • Germination Time
 14-30 days
  • Germination Temperature
 60-70 F
  • Cold Stratification?
 No
  • Height
 48”
  • Light Requirements

Seeds need light for germination

Full sun but tolerates part shade
  • Blooms in
 Second year
  • “Check Out” Month See Upcoming Events for specific “check out” dates. 

February, March
  • In Stock?
 Yes

 

Bee Balm

Table of Contents

 

Growing Tips

Native Plant

Wild Bergamot Bee Balm is native to “most of southern Canada and the United States east of the Rockies, except Maritime Provinces, and peninsular Florida, south to Veracruz in eastern Mexico.” 1

Edible Flowers

When to Start

 

Spring: Start indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost. (End of Feb/Beginning of March for GA)

Direct Sow: After all danger of frost has passed. (May 1st for Jefferson, GA)

How to Grow

 

Start indoors 8-10 weeks before the last frost. Use sterile, pre-moistened seed starting mix. Surface sow by gently pressing the seeds into the soil as the seeds need light to germinate. Then place the cells or pots under grow lights. The seeds can be a bit slow to germinate. Keep the seeds moist, but not soggy.

Or, direct sow by gently pressing the seed into the soil or cover very lightly with soil to keep the wind from blowing the seed away. Keep the soil moist, but not soggy.

Transplant after hardening off into full sun beds. Space or thin to 12-18 inches for good air circulation.

 

Care

 

Bee balm requires very little care. It will grow and thrive in many types of soil, including clay! Bee balm can be susceptible to mildew. The proper spacing of plants will help reduce the chances of getting mildew by encouraging good air circulation. Well-draining soil will help prevent this by keeping the ground from becoming waterlogged.

Bee balm is somewhat drought-tolerant. Like rosemary, it likes to dry out slightly between watering. Deadhead to encourage more blooms and to control self-sowing.

Like many other mint plants, bee balm spreads through rhizomes. Lift and divide the plants every 3 years to keep the plants vigorous. This division will also keep good air circulation by preventing overcrowding.

 

How to use

Bee balm is part of the mint family and tea can be made from both the flowers and the leaves.  Both are very fragrant and are good for use in potpourris. Leaves and flowers can be used fresh or dried for later use. Traditionally, teas from this plant were used to treat a variety of ailments from pimples to fevers, coughs, and soar throats. The tea has a citrus flavor.

To make tea: add 2 Tablespoons of fresh leaves or 1 Tablespoon of dried leaves to 1 cup of boiling water. Let steep to desired strength. Then strain the leaves.

Seed Saving

Isolation Distance

 

Insect dependent for pollination. Isolate different varieties by 1/4 mile or bag blooms.

 

Instructions

 

Select healthy, robust plants free of any signs of disease or insect infestation for seeds. Seeds carry the traits of the parent plant. Choose plants that exhibit the traits you wish to preserve. Consider bloom size, color, and shape, as well as blooming time.

Allow the biggest and healthiest blooms to mature on the plant. Cover the seed head with a fine-mesh bag as soon as the flower petals shrivel and die. Use an elastic band to hold the bag in place. This prevents seeds from spilling onto the soil before harvest.

Clip the flower head from the main stem once the flowers are dry and brown, about 1-3 weeks after flowering. Separate plant debris from the seeds by removing the mesh bag and placing the flower head in a paper bag and shaking to loosen the seeds. Seeds settle to the bottom of the bag. Remove plant debris by hand.

Features

  • Bee nectar plant
  • Attracts hummingbirds
  • Attracts pollinators
  • Low maintenance
  • Culinary
  • Medical
  • Self-sows
  • Deer resistant
  • Wild Bergamont: Native to GA. Heirloom. The aromatic foliage is reminiscent of oregano, and the flowers range in shades of Earl Grey to lavender and pink. An important nectar plant for native bees.

Wild Bergamot Bee Balm is native to “most of southern Canada and the United States east of the Rockies, except Maritime Provinces, and peninsular Florida, south to Veracruz in eastern Mexico.” 1

Bee balm is a much-needed nectar source for bees. If you want an attractive, low-maintenance, native plant to help support bees and other pollinators alike, bee balm is a must-have for the garden. 

You may also like:

Starting Seeds Indoors

GA Native Plant Moutain Mint

GA Native Plant Butterfly Bush (milkweed)

Sources:

TWC Staff, MAC, “Monarda fistulosa.” Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center, 15 April 2019, wildflower.org/plants/result.php?id_plant=mofi 1

Southernexposure.com

Rareseeds.com

Starting and Saving Seeds by Julie Thompson-Adolf

Bonap.net

Helmer, Jodi. Growing Your Own Tea Garden: the Guide to Growing and Harvesting Flavorful Teas in Your Backyard. Fox Chapel Publishers International Ltd., 2019.