Lemon Balm seeds

The lemony herb worth a spot in your garden

Lemon balm is a soft, leafy perennial herb in the mint family, with crinkled green leaves that release a sweet lemon-citrus aroma the moment you touch them. Growing knee-high and bushy, it earns its place with fragrance and flavor: the leaves brighten herbal teas, summer coolers, fruit salads, and fish or chicken dishes. It is one of the most relaxed, low-fuss herbs you can grow, and once established it thrives on very little attention.

How to grow lemon balm from seed

Surface-sow lemon balm seeds or barely cover them, since they need light to germinate, in a spot with full sun to part shade and moist, well-drained soil. Press seed into the surface, keep evenly damp, and expect sprouts in one to three weeks; thin or space plants about 12 to 18 inches apart. You can pick leaves within a couple of months and harvest through the season. For the full walkthrough on sowing, transplanting, and cutting back, read our complete guide to growing lemon balm from seed.

How to use lemon balm

Fresh lemon balm leaves are most often steeped into a calming, citrusy herbal tea, either on their own or blended with mint and chamomile, and the plant has traditionally been brewed into soothing teas and tisanes. In the kitchen, chop the leaves into fruit salads, salad dressings, marinades, and desserts, or muddle them into lemonade and cocktails. The lemon flavor is brightest fresh, so pick leaves just before using.

Lemon balm and its minty cousins

Lemon balm sits comfortably alongside the other aromatic mints. If you love its fragrance, pair it with mint, peppermint, and catnip, or branch out across our full range of herb seeds to build a fragrant, tea-worthy garden.

Why buy lemon balm seeds from Organo Republic

Our lemon balm seeds are non-GMO, open-pollinated heirloom seeds, germination tested for strong, reliable sprouting. We are a U.S.-based licensed seed dealer that sources directly to keep prices low, prints a QR code on every packet linking to free growing guides, and offers free shipping on orders over $49.