Lemon Balm in Zone 9B — Texas

Lemon balm is a fantastic addition to any Texas garden, offering a refreshing lemony flavor perfect for teas, salads, and even cocktails. Plus, it's a bee magnet, which is always a win for the garden. You'll appreciate having it on hand to brighten up those long, hot Texas days.

Our unpredictable weather can throw curveballs, but don't let that deter you. Lemon balm is surprisingly adaptable, and with our long 308-day growing season, you'll have plenty of time to get a harvest. It's all about timing!

Starting lemon balm indoors gives you a jumpstart, especially if you want an earlier harvest. Sow seeds indoors from mid-December through early January, about six weeks before you plan to transplant. This helps them get established before our Texas heat kicks in.

Use seed trays with a good seed-starting mix and keep them in a warm spot, ideally around 70°F. A heat mat can help with germination. Provide plenty of light; a grow light works great. Water from the bottom to avoid damping off – set the tray in a shallow dish of water until the surface looks moist.

Starting indoors isn’t essential, but it's a good option if you want to get a head start on the season and have larger plants ready to go when the weather warms up. Remember, spring comes early here!

Transplant your lemon balm seedlings outdoors from early February through early March. This gives them time to settle in before the full force of the Texas heat arrives.

Before transplanting, harden off your seedlings by gradually exposing them to outdoor conditions for about a week. Start with an hour or two of shade and increase the time each day. Space your plants 18-24 inches apart to give them room to grow. Keep an eye on the weather – those late freezes can still happen!

Direct sowing lemon balm is a simple and effective method, especially with our long growing season. Sow seeds directly into the garden from early February through mid-September. This gives you a wide window to work with.

Prepare the soil by loosening it and removing any weeds. Lemon balm prefers well-drained soil. Keep the soil consistently moist until the seedlings emerge. Thin the seedlings to 18-24 inches apart once they're a few inches tall. Direct sowing is less work initially, but you'll need to be diligent about watering and weed control.

Lemon balm needs moderate watering to thrive in our Texas climate. While it's not drought-tolerant, it also doesn't like soggy soil. Getting the balance right is key, especially with our unpredictable rainfall.

During the hotter months, especially July and August, you'll likely need to water your lemon balm deeply two to three times a week, providing about 1 inch of water each time. Use the "finger test" – stick your finger about 2 inches into the soil. If it feels dry, it's time to water. In spring and fall, reduce watering frequency as the weather cools.

Water at the base of the plant rather than overhead, especially when humidity is high. This helps prevent fungal diseases. Signs of underwatering include wilting leaves, while overwatering can lead to yellowing leaves and root rot. Mulch around your plants with compost or shredded leaves to help retain moisture and suppress weeds.

Pruning lemon balm is essential to keep it from getting leggy and taking over your garden. It can spread aggressively if you let it go to seed.

In midsummer, give your lemon balm a good haircut by cutting it back by about half. This encourages bushier growth and prevents it from becoming too woody. Remove any flower stalks as soon as you see them to prevent self-seeding.

At the end of the season, around the time of our first frost in early December, you can cut the plant back to a few inches above the ground. It will likely come back strong in the spring.

You can start harvesting lemon balm about 70 days after planting, so expect your first harvest from mid-April through mid-December. The best time to harvest is before the plant flowers, as the leaves have the most intense flavor then.

Harvest by snipping off the top leaves and stems. Be careful not to remove more than one-third of the plant at a time to allow it to continue growing. Lemon balm is best used fresh, as it loses much of its flavor when dried.

Keep harvesting regularly to encourage new growth and prevent the plant from flowering. As the first frost approaches, harvest as much as you can and store it in the freezer for use during the winter months.

Lemon balm is generally easy to grow, but here are a few common problems you might encounter in Texas:

Aggressive Spreading

• What it looks like: Lemon balm popping up in unwanted areas of your garden.
• What causes it: Self-seeding and spreading through underground rhizomes.
• How to fix/prevent it: Remove flower stalks before they go to seed. Consider growing lemon balm in a container to limit its spread. Regularly pull up any unwanted shoots.

Bolting

• What it looks like: The plant sends up a flower stalk prematurely, and the leaves become bitter or tough.
• What causes it: Triggered by heat and drought stress, common in our Texas summers.
• How to fix/prevent it: Plant in partial shade, especially during the hottest part of the day. Keep the soil consistently moist. Harvest regularly to encourage leaf production.

Powdery Mildew

• What it looks like: White or grayish powdery coating on the leaves.
• What causes it: Fungi that thrive in warm days, cool nights, and moderate humidity.
• How to fix/prevent it: Improve air circulation by spacing plants properly. Remove affected leaves. Apply neem oil or potassium bicarbonate sprays. A milk spray (1 part milk to 9 parts water) can also be effective.

Texas Specific Challenges: Our hot-to-extreme heat and variable humidity can exacerbate these problems. Providing afternoon shade and ensuring good air circulation are crucial for keeping your lemon balm healthy.

Lemon balm makes a great companion plant for many vegetables and herbs in the Texas garden.

Good companions:

• Tomatoes: Lemon balm repels pests like whiteflies and tomato hornworms, which can be a problem in our area.
• Squash: It attracts pollinators, which are essential for squash production.
• Broccoli and Cauliflower: Lemon balm can deter cabbage moths, a common pest for brassicas.

Avoid planting lemon balm near:

• (none known)