Bee Balm.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Perennial

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Bright indirect

Water

Every 3 to 7 days

Mature size

3 to 4 feet tall

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 4 to 9

Bloom time

Mid to late summer

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist to prevent the leaves from wilting. Watch for powdery mildew on the foliage, which often happens if there is poor air circulation. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers throughout the season.

Watering

Water deeply whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the active growing season.

Pruning

Trim back faded flowers regularly to promote continuous blooming.

Repotting

Divide the clumps every few years to keep the plant healthy and prevent overcrowding.

Soil

Rich, moist, well draining soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

-30 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Drought tolerance

Low

Lifespan

Perennial, typically 3 to 5 years

Fragrance

Strong

Deer and rabbits

High

Safety

People

This plant is generally considered non toxic to humans.

Children

There are no specific safety concerns for children, though the stems can be slightly coarse.

Contact allergens

Some individuals may experience mild skin irritation from handling the foliage.

Airborne allergens

The pollen is not typically considered a significant airborne allergen.

Edibility

While the leaves are often used in teas, ensure you have correctly identified the plant to avoid confusion with toxic lookalikes.

How to identify it

• Tubular red flowers in clusters
• Square stems typical of mint family
• Fragrant, serrated lance shaped leaves
• Distinctive shaggy flower heads

Height

0.6 to 1.2m

Spread

0.3 to 0.6m

Leaves

medium green, deciduous

Flowers

red, 3 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

• Powdery MildewCommon
• AphidsUncommon
• Leaf SpotUncommon
• RustUncommon
• Slugs and SnailsUncommon
• Spider MitesUncommon

Growing it

Propagation

division, seed, cuttings

When to plant

spring, fall

Overwintering

Cut the stems back to the ground in late autumn after the foliage dies back. A light layer of mulch can help protect the roots in colder climates.

In containers

It grows well in containers, provided you use a large pot at least 30 cm wide to accommodate its spreading roots.

Planting in groups helps support the tall stems and creates a larger target for visiting pollinators.

Grows well with

• Phlox · They share similar moisture needs and bloom at the same time.
• Coneflower · They provide a nice contrast in flower shape and attract similar pollinators.

Similar species

• Wild Bergamot · It is a closely related species that is often more drought tolerant.

Science

Family

Lamiaceae

Genus

Monarda

Order

Lamiales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern North America

Conservation

This plant is not currently listed as endangered or threatened in its native range.

It thrives in moist, open woods and along stream banks where it can access consistent water.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, hummingbirds

Uses

pollinator garden, herb garden, cut flower, tea

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How do I stop powdery mildew?

Provide good air circulation and water at the base of the plant rather than overhead.

Does it spread?

Yes, it spreads via underground rhizomes and can be quite vigorous.

Where the name comes from

The genus name honors Nicolas Monardes, a Spanish physician who wrote about American medicinal plants, while the species name didyma refers to the paired stamens.

Good to know

• It is a member of the mint family.
• The leaves have a pleasant, citrusy scent when crushed.
• Native Americans used it to treat colds and sore throats.

Also in

• Deer-resistant plants