Lemon Mint Monarda Citriodora is a hardy annual herb native to the Midwest and southern United States. Lemon Mint seeds are easy to grow, and they can be started indoors or directly outdoors. Other common names of this popular plant are Lemon Beebalm, Lemon Horsemint, Plains Horsemint, Lemon Bee Balm, Lemon Bergamot, and Purple Horse Mint. Lemon Mint is a long flowering wildflower that features aromatic foliage with oblong, serrated, leaves and stiff flowering stems that are covered with clusters of fragrant, curved, tubular pink, lavender flowers with small petals that are often dotted with purple. The lemon scented blooms of Bee Balm attract honeybees, hummingbirds, and butterflies.
Lemon Mint is widely grown in herb gardens, butterfly and hummingbird gardens, along roadsides and naturalized landscapes, and as a bedding plant. Monarda Citriodora seeds have to be kept moist until germination, and the established Lemon Bee Balm preferres to grow in full sun but it tolerates partial shade, drought, dry and poor soil. The aromatic with a pleasant citrus aroma Lemon Mint leaves can be brewed for tea and used as an insect repellent. Monarda Citriodora re-seeds itself easily and makes a wonderful cut flower.
PLANT PROFILE
Season: Annual
Height: 36 Inches
Bloom Season: Summer
Environment: Sun/Partial Shade
Soil Type: Average/Dry/Medium Moisture well-drained, pH 6.6-7.8
USDA Zones: All Regions of North America
PLANTING INSTRUCTIONS
Sow Indoors: Winter/Spring (4-6 weeks before last frost)
Sow Outdoors: Spring/Fall
Seed Depth: 1/16 Inch
Germination Time: 10-30 Days
