A mature Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) growing in a residential garden bed

In the landscape

Border · Container · Naturalized · Small space · Butterfly · Cottage · Edible · Pollinator

Data sources

Missouri Botanical Garden, NC State Extension

Lemon Balm

Melissa officinalis · Perennial

Lemon Balm is a fast-growing perennial, hardy in USDA zones 3-7, that matures to about 1.5–2 ft × 1.5–3 ft. It does best in full sun and part shade with low water needs in well-drained and occasionally-dry soil. Expect white blooms in summer. It attracts butterflies and pollinators, stands up well to deer, drought and dry soil and grows happily in containers.

USDA zones: 3-7
Sun: Full sun, Part shade
Water: Low
Mature size: 1.5–2 ft × 1.5–3 ft
Growth rate: Fast
Maintenance: Low
Soil: Well-drained, Occasionally-dry
Bloom color: White
Bloom season: Summer
Attracts: Butterflies, Pollinators
Tough against: Deer, Drought, Dry soil, Heat, Humidity, Pests, Poor soil, Rabbits
Native to: Southern Europe

Will it survive your winters?

We score Lemon Balm’s freeze-trouble range against the real coldest nights your area has recorded.

Powered by ~35 years of daily lows from the nearest NOAA weather station. A risk read, not a guarantee — a sheltered spot or mature plant beats the odds.

More plants for your zone: Zone 3 · Zone 4 · Zone 5 · Zone 6 · Zone 7