A thriving lemon balm plant soaking up the sunlight. / Public Domain

Lemon balm is an easy, rewarding herb to grow indoors or in the garden. Learn how to choose the right spot, plant it well, and help it thrive.

By Sergio Toledo
Editor-in-Chief, Heed to Heal

Introduction

There’s something deeply comforting about growing your own herbs, and lemon balm is one of the most rewarding plants to keep close. With its soft, lemony scent and calming properties, it can brighten a garden, a patio, or even a windowsill indoors. Whether you enjoy it as a tea, a natural scent, or simply for its beauty, planting lemon balm is a simple way to bring a touch of peace into your everyday space.

This herb is known not only for its gentle aroma but also for how resilient and easy to care for it can be. It doesn’t demand much, yet it offers so much in return. Lemon balm grows well in a variety of environments, making it a wonderful choice for both experienced gardeners and beginners who are just learning how to tend to plants.

Planting your own lemon balm allows you to build a small ritual around it—watching it grow, touching its soft leaves, and breathing in its scent on stressful days. It can turn a small corner of your home into a calming spot, reminding you to slow down and enjoy something simple and alive.

Choosing the Right Spot

Lemon balm thrives in spaces that receive plenty of natural light, but it doesn’t need to be in harsh, direct sun all day. If you plan to keep it indoors, a sunny windowsill is often perfect. Outdoors, it does best in a spot with morning sun and a bit of shade in the afternoon. This balance keeps the leaves fresh and vibrant.

One of the nice things about lemon balm is its flexibility. You can plant it directly in the ground if you have a garden, or in a container if space is limited. Containers make it easier to control its growth and move it around to catch the best light. Since lemon balm tends to spread quickly, a pot can help keep it from taking over other plants nearby.

When choosing where to place it, consider how you want to use it. A plant near the kitchen makes it easy to pick fresh leaves for tea or recipes. A pot near a favorite chair or outdoor space can add a natural calming scent to where you rest. Its placement can shape how it becomes part of your daily rhythm.

Planting and Care

Lemon balm grows best in well-draining soil that holds some moisture without becoming soggy. A mix of potting soil with a little compost works well, giving it the nutrients it needs to grow lush and full. If planting in a container, make sure it has drainage holes at the bottom to prevent water from pooling around the roots.

This herb prefers soil that stays slightly damp. A good rule of thumb is to water it when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Overwatering can lead to root problems, so gentle, consistent watering is better than heavy, infrequent soaking. Lemon balm responds well to light trimming, which encourages the plant to grow fuller and bushier over time.

Caring for it can become a soothing routine. A few minutes each week spent watering, trimming, or gently touching the leaves can be grounding. As the plant grows, its fresh scent fills the space around it, reminding you that a small bit of nature can thrive in even the busiest of homes.

Making It Thrive

Once your lemon balm is established, it will grow quickly with just a little attention. Harvesting regularly helps keep the plant healthy and encourages new growth. You can pinch or cut the stems just above a set of leaves. Doing this often creates a fuller plant and provides a steady supply of fresh leaves for tea, scent, or cooking.

Lemon balm grows best when it’s not allowed to get too woody or overgrown. Occasional pruning keeps it soft and lively. If it’s outdoors, it can spread rapidly, so trimming it back every so often keeps it manageable. Indoors, just a light touch now and then is enough to keep it looking healthy and vibrant.

The joy of growing lemon balm comes from watching it become part of your space. Its fresh scent can greet you each morning. Its soft leaves can be picked whenever you need a calming moment. With just a little care, it becomes more than a plant—it becomes part of the atmosphere you create in your home.

References

  • Bone, Kerry. Principles and Practice of Phytotherapy. Churchill Livingstone, 2013.
  • Gladstar, Rosemary. Medicinal Herbs: A Beginner’s Guide. Storey Publishing, 2012.
  • Bremness, Lesley. The Complete Book of Herbs. Viking Studio Books, 1994.

Originally published by Heed to Heal, 10.13.2025, under the terms of a Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommercial-NoDerivatives 4.0 International license.