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{{SPlantbox
{{SPlantbox
|genus=Balm
|familia=Lamiaceae
|genus=Melissa
|species=officinalis
|habit=herbaceous
|lifespan=perennial
|Temp Metric=°F
|Temp Metric=°F
|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
|jumpin=If this plant info box on watering; zones; height; etc. is mostly empty you can click on the edit tab and fill in the blanks!
|image=Upload.png
|image=Melissa officinalis01.jpg
|image_width=240
|image_width=240
}}
}}
'''Lemon balm''' (''Melissa officinalis''), not to be confused with [[bee balm]], ''[[Monarda]]'' species, is a [[perennial plant|perennial]] [[herb]] in the [[mentha|mint]] family [[Lamiaceae]], native to southern [[Europe]] and the [[Mediterranean region]].
It grows to 70-150 cm tall. The [[leaf|leaves]] have a gentle [[lemon]] scent, related to mint. At the end of the summer, small white [[flower]]s full of nectar appear. These attract [[bee]]s, hence the genus name ''[[Melissa]]'' ([[Greek Language|Greek]] for 'honey bee').
{{Inc|
{{Inc|
Balm (Mellisa officinalis, Linn.). Labiatae. Lemon Balm and Bee Balm. Sweet herb, the Lvs. being used for seasoning, particularly in liquors, and also in medicine. It has a lemon-like flavor. It is a hardy perennial from S. Eu. The plant grows 1-2 ft. high, somewhat hairy, loosely branched, with ovate-petioled, sometimes cordate, Lvs. and yellowish or whitish fls. in loose axillary clusters. Thrives in any warm position, and is easy to grow. Prop, by seeds; also by division. Becoming wild in E. U. S.
Balm (Mellisa officinalis, Linn.). Labiatae. Lemon Balm and Bee Balm. Sweet herb, the Lvs. being used for seasoning, particularly in liquors, and also in medicine. It has a lemon-like flavor. It is a hardy perennial from S. Eu. The plant grows 1-2 ft. high, somewhat hairy, loosely branched, with ovate-petioled, sometimes cordate, Lvs. and yellowish or whitish fls. in loose axillary clusters. Thrives in any warm position, and is easy to grow. Prop, by seeds; also by division. Becoming wild in E. U.S.
}}
}}
==Cultivation==
==Cultivation==
This herb can be easy to cultivate in [[United States Department of Agriculture]] [[hardiness zone|Plant Hardiness Zones]] 4 to 9. In zone 4, it needs winter mulch and a well-drained sandy soil to survive. In zone 7, it can be harvested at least until the end of November. While it prefers full sun (as described on most plant tags), it is moderately shade-tolerant, much more so than most herbs. In dry climates, it grows best in partial shade. It can also be easily grown as an indoor potted herb.
Lemon Balm requires light and at least 70 degrees Fahrenheit to germinate so it is best to plant indoors or in spring and not to cover the seeds.
Lemon Balm grows in clumps and spreads vegetatively as well as by seed. In mild [[temperate zone]]s, the stems of the plant die off at the start of the winter, but shoot up again in spring. It can be easily grown from stem cuttings rooted in water, or from seeds. Under ideal conditions, it will seed itself prolifically and can become a nuisance in gardens.
===Propagation===
===Propagation===
<gallery perrow=5>
<gallery perrow=5>
Image:Upload.png| photo 1
Image:Melissa1.jpg
Image:Upload.png| photo 2
Image:Koeh-094.jpg
Image:Upload.png| photo 3
Image:Melissa officinalis1.jpg|Leaves
Image:Melissa officinalis2.JPG|Leaves
Image:Melissa officinalis3.JPG|Plant
</gallery>
</gallery>
