Lemon balm is an easy-care herb that is also used in the kitchen. Lemon balm should be cut just before winter.
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis) is one of the most popular crops in this country - which is no wonder considering that the plant is very easy to plant, care for, propagate and cut. Once the plant feels good, it provides numerous lemon balm leaves, which can be used for cooking, but also as a remedy. At the same time, it causes little work for the gardener, which is also noticeable when pruning the plant. Nevertheless, you should not prune and cut the lemon balm indiscriminately - because certain procedures ensure that the plant and harvest are he althy. Below we explain what you have to consider when cutting the lemon balm.
Fun facts about lemon balm
Lemon balm originally occurs in southern Europe, and in wild form. The herb can grow up to a meter high, spreads quickly and often lives up to 20 years if it is in an ideal location. A sunny planting place is preferred so that the plant can spread itself well and the formation of the leaves takes place richly. Under the best conditions, the leaves of the lemon balm can be harvested several times a year, so that a good supply can be built up. It is important that the lemon balm gets a protected location. Otherwise, it can be sown directly in the garden, planted there as a young plant or kept in a pot on the terrace or balcony. Basically, gardeners don't need to prune lemon balm if it's living and thriving in the garden - although it doesn't hurt to do some pruning for certain purposes.
Lemon Balm - cut leaves
The leaves of the lemon balm can be harvested all year round if required. If you need them fresh, you can cut off individual leaves on their stems, so that they are cut off at best two to three centimeters below the leaf and can sprout again. When fresh, the leaves unfold their aroma very intensively in terms of scent and taste, which is whyGardeners prefer this form of harvest for most of the year.
If you would like to obtain essential oils from the healing and tasty leaf of the plant, you should do this in late summer if possible, so only cut off the leaves at this time. This is because the plant develops a higher oil content than usual during this period of dry weather and high temperatures. On the other hand, if you want to harvest all of the foliage, you should simply cut the lemon balm a hand's breadth below its top leaves, so that it is a uniform length arises and the lemon balm can form new shoots. This can be done about 3-4 times a year, leaving plenty of lemon balm stockpiled at home for use as a spice or tea.
Pruning lemon balm before winter
Since lemon balm takes a break during the winter and the leaf can wilt or be shed, it's usually advisable to trim about a hand's breadth below the top leaf before winter sets in. This makes it easier for the plant to get through the winter and grow more evenly the next spring. It is also worth pruning the lemon balm after spring has arrived - but if you wish, you can also do this after the plant has bloomed in order to prepare it for the plentiful growth in the near future.
Propagation by cutting - is that possible?
Lemon balm actually reproduces very well on its own, so you don't have to cut off seedlings. However, propagation can be done by sowing seeds or by dividing the roots. Here, parts of the root and mother plant are removed from the ground and dug out so that the cuttings can be planted elsewhere in the garden. This is best done with a very sharp knife in order to damage as little root system as possible.
Lemon Balm - Pros & Cons
Advantages
✔ very easy to plant and care for
✔ as a garden plant it does not necessarily have to be pruned
✔ as a potted plant only pruning is necessary because of its enormous growth
✔ prefers sun and near all nutrient-rich soils
✔ hardly any fertilizer necessary
✔ as a medicinal plant can be used in various ways
✔ often useful as a spice or for refining food and drinks
✔ spreads quickly and can reproduce on its own
✔ is up to 20 years old
✔ planted in the garden, the plant overwinters almost by itself
✔ fresh leaves deliver avery intense aroma
✔ Leaves can be dried and stored
Cons
✘ Lemon balm growing in pots must be covered and warmed before wintering
✘ Unfortunately, diseases and pests often occur with lemon balmAs you can see, lemon balm is an ideal bed filler for the garden, which not only takes care of itself and multiplies, but also has some useful properties and uses. Whether as a medicine or in food - no garden should be without lemon balm.