Lemon balm
Melissa officinalis

Family: Lamiaceae

What it is like

A vigorous herb up to 0.5-1.2 m high. It spreads to 30-45 cm wide. Plants keep growing from year to year. The stems are erect, square shaped, branching and hairy. The leaves are produced opposite one another and are oval. The leaves are wrinkled and toothed at the edge. They are 7 cm long. The leaves have a lemon smell when crushed. The leaf stalk is long. The flowers are small and whitish yellow. These are produced on long loose clusters. The flowers are in the axils of leaves. The fruit is made up of 4 oval nutlets.

There are about 4 Melissa species.

Where it is found

It is a temperate plant. It does best on light, well-drained soils. It needs an open sunny position but can grow in light shade. It can tolerate drought and frost. It benefits from well composted soil. It grows in Europe up to 60° north. In Hobart Botanical gardens. In the tropics it is grown in mountainous regions. It suits plant hardiness zones 5-9. Tasmania Herbarium.

Countries/locations it is found in

Africa, Albania, Andes, Andorra, Argentina, Asia, Australia, Balkans, Bosnia, Britain, Bulgaria, Canada, Caucasus, Central America, Central Asia, Chile, China, Colombia, Congo DR, Crete, Croatia, Cyprus, Ecuador, Europe, France, Georgia, Greece, Hungary, India, Indonesia, Iran, Iraq, Italy, Kyrgyzstan, Lithuania, Macedonia, Mediterranean, Middle East, Morocco, North Africa, North America, Pacific, Panama, Pakistan, Papua New Guinea, Philippines, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Russia, SE Asia, Serbia, Siberia, Sicily, Slovenia, South America, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland, Syria, Tajikistan, Tasmania, Turkey, Türkiye, Turkmenistan, Uruguay, USA, Uzbekistan, Yugoslavia

How it is used for food

The lemon flavoured leaves are used for drinks or flavouring foods and is used either raw or cooked. They can be used in salads. It is also used to flavour liqueurs. It is added to meat and vegetable dishes. It is used in soups and sauces. The leaves can be used for tea.

It is cultivated. In Papua New Guinea it occurs in some highland gardens.

Edible parts

Leaves, herb, spice, leaves - tea

How it is grown

It can be grown from seeds or division of the root. Seed are slow to start growing. It can also be grown by tip cuttings which are put into water to form roots. The flowers should be picked off. Plants can be cut back to near ground level and allowed to regrow.

It is best used fresh.

Its other names

Local names

Balm mint, Barambo, Bee balm, Cedronella, Citromfu, Citronnelle, Erbe limone, Giyaki cole, Giyaye tiers, Hallall perajenana, Limon otu, Maticnjak, Matochina, Melissa, Melisse, Menta limona, Miasbu, Misogu, Niosbu, Ogulotu, Sweet balm, Swre helale, Tarongina, Toronjil, Xiang feng hua, Zozak

Synonyms

Melissa altissima J.E.Smith; Melissa inodora Bornm. non Hassk.; Melissa romana;