Herb · Lamiaceae family · with preparation per the EMA
lemon balm
Melissa officinalis
In short a 10-second read
Lemon balm (herb) grows to 0.4–0.9 m tall and 0.4–0.9 m wide when mature. It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil. It flowers in June–September; the flowers are white. Sow in March–April. Plant out in March–April, September. Hardy to −37 °C.
× spread 0.4–0.9 m
Where to plant
Sun, soil, frost.
It grows best in full sun to part shade, in dry to average soil. Hardy to −37 °C.
Sun
Tolerates several positions — choose to suit the rest of the garden.
Soil and water
dry to average · watering: little
Soil: loamy, sandy, clay, gravelly
Soil pH 5.5–7.5
Frost
It copes with a normal winter outdoors.
How much space it takes
Mature size.
The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).
Next to a person
Reaches maturity in about 2–5 years. The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.
Calendar
What to do and when.
Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.
The year at a glance
Flowers
June–September · white
Pruning
cut back to the ground (February–March)
Sowing
sow indoors: March–April
Planting out
division: March–April, September
Winter protection
not needed
Overwintering
It copes with winter on its own.
It overwinters outdoors without protection, hardy to −37 °C.
- Needs no protection
- Hardy to −37 °C
- Dies back in winter and regrows in spring
What to combine it with
Ready-made combinations.
Ready-made Studio combinations that include lemon balm
Lemon balm, mint, hyssop and sage — tea from the bed from spring to…
Frequently asked
Quick answers.
When does lemon balm flower?
In June–September; the flowers are white.
When do I sow lemon balm?
In March–April (sow indoors).
Does lemon balm tolerate shade?
It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.
How much space does lemon balm need?
At maturity 0.4–0.9 m wide and 0.4–0.9 m tall; recommended spacing 40 cm.
Does lemon balm survive winter outdoors?
Yes, without protection, hardy to −37 °C.
Where the data comes from
We compared the data in 10 expert sources. Last checked 20 October 2026.
Show sources (10)
- NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
- RHS — How to grow lemon balm
- Wikidata (CC0) — Melissa officinalis
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder — Melissa officinalis
- EMA/HMPC - Melissae folium (herbal medicine)
- OSU Extension - Growing Herbs
- Missouri Botanical Garden - Herbs factsheet
- RHS - Melissa officinalis
- Iowa State Extension - How to Plant Perennials
- Invasive plant lists — this species is not on them: EU
Similar plants
Have a look at these too.
Preparation and use · lemon balm
How to prepare it.
According to the monograph of the European Medicines Agency (EMA).
part: leaf
For: mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep, mild indigestion, bloating and flatulence EMA 4.1For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Herb EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Single dose
- 1.5–4.5 g of dried leaves in 150 ml of boiling water EMA 4.2
- How often
- 1–3× a day EMA 4.2
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Put 1.5–4.5 g of dried leaves in a cup.
EMA 4.2 - 2
Pour over 150 ml of boiling water.
EMA 4.2 - 3
Steep for 5–15 min.
EMA/HMPC/5829/201010:00 - 4
Drink 1–3× a day.
EMA 4.2
part: leaf
Powdered herb from a pharmacy
A ready-made product. The exact method is in the package leaflet.
For: mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep, mild indigestion, bloating and flatulence EMA 4.1For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Powdered herb EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Single dose
- 0.19–0.55 g EMA 4.2
- How often
- 2–3× a day EMA 4.2
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Weigh out 0.19–0.55 g of powder.
EMA 4.2 - 2
Take it 2–3× a day.
EMA 4.2
part: leaf
Tincture from a pharmacy
For: mild symptoms of stress and to aid sleep, mild indigestion, bloating and flatulence EMA 4.1For whom: From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly EMA 4.2
- What you use
- Tincture EMA 4.2
- How it is used
- By mouth EMA 4.2
- Tincture
- 1 : 5, ethanol 45–53 % EMA 2
- Maceration
- 3 days pharmacopoeia (USP)
- Single dose
- 2–6 ml EMA 4.2
- How often
- 1–3× a day EMA 4.2
- How long
- If symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Method
- 1
Measure out 2–6 ml of tincture.
EMA 4.2 - 2
Take it 1–3× a day.
EMA 4.2
Dosage
| Form | Single dose | How often | For whom | How long | Instructions |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herbal tea (infusion)at homepart: leaf | 1.5–4.5 g of dried leaves in 150 ml of boiling water EMA 4.2 | 1–3× a day | From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 2 weeks → see a doctor EMA 4.2 | |
| Powdered herbfrom a pharmacypart: leaf | 0.19–0.55 g EMA 4.2 | 2–3× a day | From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 2 weeks → see a doctor EMA 4.2 | |
| Tincturefrom a pharmacy or at home ↓part: leaf | 2–6 ml EMA 4.2 | 1–3× a day | From 12 years · adolescents, adults, elderly | longer than 2 weeks → see a doctor EMA 4.2 | Tincture: 1 : 5, ethanol 45–53 % EMA 2 |
| Children under 12: not recommended EMA 4.2 | |||||
How long
If symptoms last longer than 2 weeks or get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.2
Who should not use it
- Children under 12: not recommended EMA 4.2
- If hypersensitive (allergic) to this plant EMA 4.3
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding (not recommended) EMA 4.6
Cautions
- May impair the ability to drive and use machines. EMA 4.7
- If symptoms get worse, see a doctor. EMA 4.4
- The tincture contains alcohol (ethanol). EMA 4.4
- If you take any medicines, ask a doctor or pharmacist. GridGarden
Home-made tincture · per the EMA
Tincture at home.
The EMA also lists a tincture. This is how to make it from dried herb from your bed.
Weigh
of dried leaves, chopped
calculated · 1 : 5Cover with alcohol
ethanol 45–53 %, in a glass jar
EMA 2Leave to steep
close the jar, keep it in the dark and shake it now and then
pharmacopoeia (USP)Use
1–3× a day · from 12 years
EMA 4.2Before taking the tincture
The tincture contains alcohol. Read this before use:
- Children under 12: not recommendedEMA 4.2
- If hypersensitive (allergic) to this plantEMA 4.3
- During pregnancy and breastfeeding (not recommended)EMA 4.6
- The tincture contains alcohol (ethanol).EMA 4.4
- May impair the ability to drive and use machines.EMA 4.7
- If symptoms get worse, see a doctor.EMA 4.4
- If you take any medicines, ask a doctor or pharmacist.GridGarden
Source: EMA/HMPC monograph EMA/HMPC/196745/2012 · Steeping days and straining