How to Grow Bee Balm

Light: Bee balm does best in full sun. Though it will grow in part shade, it tends to stretch and become leggy over time.
Soil: Bee balm does best in evenly moist soil rich in organic matter. ...
Spacing: Plants should be spaced 18-24 inches apart.
Planting: Plant bee balm in the spring or early fall.

Is bee balm easy to grow?
Does bee balm spread?
Does bee balm reseed itself?
How long does it take for bee balm to grow from seed?
Is bee balm poisonous?
What can I plant next to bee balm?
Why did my bee balm die?
Where does bee balm grow best?
How do I stop Monarda from spreading?
Can I transplant bee balm?
Is Bergamot the same as bee balm?
Can you save bee balm seeds?

Is bee balm easy to grow?

Growing bee balm is fairly easy as long as you keep the soil moist. Provide a good, multi-purpose fertilizer, and work it into the soil around the bee balm plant. If you want a bushier plant, pinch off the stem tips as new growth appears in the early spring.

Does bee balm spread?

Bee balms spread rapidly via underground stems or stolons. In addition, the centers of the clumps often die out within a few years. To control their spread and rejuvenate the plants, it's usually necessary to dig and divide bee balms every 2 to 3 years. ... Dig up the plants as soon as they emerge from the ground.

Does bee balm reseed itself?

Bee balm grows in a clump with 3-foot tall stalks. Most bee balm varieties are perennials and will grow in average to well-drained soil in full sun. ... Like other herbs in the mint family, bee balm is considered to be a bit invasive. It will easily self-sow and also spreads by underground rhizomes.

How long does it take for bee balm to grow from seed?

Bee Balm (Wild Bergamot/Monarda fistulosa) - Key Growing Information. DAYS TO GERMINATION: 7-14 days at 60-70°F (16-21°C). SOWING: Transplant (recommended): Sow the seeds in flats, barely covering them. Transplant to individual containers when the seedlings have their first true leaves.

Is bee balm poisonous?

It's leaves are used to make tea. Bee balm is not poisonous for humans. In fact, eating the leaves will not harm a cat, dog or other animals in any way. Despite not being poisonous to animals, eating parts of any plant can cause digestive upset to an animal.

What can I plant next to bee balm?

Bee balm is a perfect cottage garden plant. I like to let it ramble though a perennial flower border next to tall garden phlox, rudbeckia, roses, and peonies.

Why did my bee balm die?

Hot temperatures coupled with low humidity or dry conditions can cause drooping and wilting in many plants, including bee balm. Heat causes the leaves to lose water through transpiration, especially in dry conditions. ... Temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit can be a problem, and at 95 degrees the flowers can die.

Where does bee balm grow best?

How to Grow Bee Balm

Light: Bee balm does best in full sun. Though it will grow in part shade, it tends to stretch and become leggy over time.
Soil: Bee balm does best in evenly moist soil rich in organic matter. ...
Spacing: Plants should be spaced 18-24 inches apart.
Planting: Plant bee balm in the spring or early fall.

How do I stop Monarda from spreading?

Because monarda has a tendency to spread, it is essential to keep it contained. To do so, the plant should be root divided every three years. Dig up the root clump in the early spring, discard the inner, older portion, and replant the new divisions twelve to fifteen inches apart.

Can I transplant bee balm?

You can divide and transplant your bee balm either after it finishes flowering, or wait until next spring when the emerging shoots are 4 to 6 inches tall. In either case, dig up the entire clump and separate it into equal chunks.

Is Bergamot the same as bee balm?

Monarda, commonly called bee balm or bergamot, is also known by the names oswego tea and horsemint. ... Bergamot was identified in the sixteenth century by the Spanish medical botanist Nicolas de Monardes, whose name is used to identify this genus of plants.

Can you save bee balm seeds?

Once completely dry, Bee Balm seeds can be stored for several years in a zip-lock bag or paper envelope. Store Bee Balm seeds in a cool dry place and never in a musty basement or in sunlight.