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Perennial · Lamiaceae family

Scarlet beebalm

Monarda didyma

Full sun to part shade 0.6–1.2 m × 0.6–0.9 m Flowers July–September to −32 °C
Flower colours Click a colour

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade
Size0.6–1.2 m
spacing 45 cm
FlowersJuly–September
PlantingMarch–May, September–November
WinterProtect from winter wet

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average to moist soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

acidic to neutral soil
acidicneutralalkaline
average to moisthumus-richclayloamy

Watering

keep the soil evenly moistless when it rains

Frost

−32 °C
protect from winter wetdies back in winter, regrows in spring

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (175 cm).

50 cm1 m1.5 m0.6–1.2 mspread 0.6–0.9 m
0.6–1.2 m× spread 0.6–0.9 m

Plant 45 cm apart.

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

Through the year.

Months for Central Europe. The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Flowers: JanuaryFlowers: FebruaryFlowers: MarchFlowers: AprilFlowers: MayFlowers: JuneFlowers: JulyFlowers: AugustFlowers: SeptemberFlowers: OctoberFlowers: NovemberFlowers: DecemberPlanting: JanuaryPlanting: FebruaryPlanting: MarchPlanting: AprilPlanting: MayPlanting: JunePlanting: JulyPlanting: AugustPlanting: SeptemberPlanting: OctoberPlanting: NovemberPlanting: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FlowersPlantingFeeding
Now, in October: a good time for planting (container plant).
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

July–September · red, pink or purple

Planting

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

container plant: March–May, September–November

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

March–May

Feeding

Nutrition.

Light
balanced fertilisercompost or mulch
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

High riskMedium riskLow riskRisk for this plant according to the source · no label = no documented level
Powdery mildews

Powdery mildews

High riskdiseasesource covers the whole genus
More about this problem

What you will see

White powdery coating on leaves and stems.

The source says: it can be very susceptible to powdery mildew.

When to look

From spring onwards

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Airy planting, enough space between plants.
    • Do not wet the leaves.
    • In autumn, remove fallen diseased leaves (reduces spores in spring).
  2. By hand as soon as the first symptoms appearRemove and destroy affected leaves; do not compost.
  3. Chemical — only when nothing else helps only after cultural measuresOnly minimal and targeted use; a product authorised in your country against powdery mildew.
Powdery mildewsdisease · from spring onwardsHigh risk

What you will see

White powdery coating on leaves and stems.

The source says: it can be very susceptible to powdery mildew.

When to look

From spring onwards

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Airy planting, enough space between plants.
    • Do not wet the leaves.
    • In autumn, remove fallen diseased leaves (reduces spores in spring).
  2. By hand as soon as the first symptoms appearRemove and destroy affected leaves; do not compost.
  3. Chemical — only when nothing else helps only after cultural measuresOnly minimal and targeted use; a product authorised in your country against powdery mildew.
More about this problem
Sources (3)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

When does scarlet beebalm flower?

In July–September; the flowers are red, pink or purple.

Does scarlet beebalm tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does scarlet beebalm need?

At maturity 0.6–0.9 m wide and 0.6–1.2 m tall; recommended spacing 45 cm.

Powdery mildews — what can you do?

Airy planting, enough space between plants. Remove and destroy affected leaves; do not compost.

Sources (16) Checked 14 October 2026

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