Bee Balms Full Growing Guide (Plant, Grow, and Care)

For a sun-loving perennial that can enhance the appeal of your pollinator garden, consider bee balm.

In this guide, we will tell you all about bee balm flowers, how to grow and care for them, and what varieties you can plant.

Use the table of contents below to jump to the section you are interested in, or read on for the entire post.

Jump to:

• What Are Bee Balms?
• Bee Balm Basics
• Where Do Bee Balms Grow?
• Why Grow Bee Balms?
• Bee Balm Landscaping Ideas
• Recommended Bee Balm Varieties
• When Do Bee Balms Bloom?
• How Long Do Bee Balms Bloom?
• When to Plant Bee Balms
• Ideal Growing Conditions for Bee Balms
• How to Plant Bee Balms
• How to Care for Bee Balms
• How to Divide Bee Balms
• Recommended Companion Plants for Bee Balms
• How to Harvest and Preserve Bee Balm
• Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Bee Balms
• Where to Buy Bee Balms

What Are Bee Balms?

“Bee balm” is a common name for the genus of plants with the scientific name Monarda. This genus falls under the mint family.

You may also hear bee balm plants referred to as:

• Wild bergamot
• Horsemint
• Oswego tea

Sometimes, people will spell bee balm as one word: “beebalm.”

Bergamot is the name of a type of citrus that is not related to bee balm plants. So, bee balm is not wild bergamot in a literal sense—it is just that the leaves have a similar scent, thus the nickname.

When they grow in the wild, bee balm flowers are all singles. But you will find both single and double cultivars you can grow in your garden. There are quite a few hybrid varieties.

People grow bee balms not only to appreciate their bright flowers, but also to enjoy the fragrance of the green leaves.

Some may also choose to harvest the leaves to produce essential oil. Bee balm makes a bitter but enjoyable spice as well, somewhat akin to oregano, but with a minty taste. Along with the leaves, you can also try eating the flowers!

Historically, indigenous tribes in North America made use of bee balm in traditional medicine.

It might also intrigue you to learn that your mouthwash probably contains a compound that is derived from bee balm called “thymol.”

Bee Balm Basics

Zones: 3-9

Blooming season: Summer

Expected height: Up to 4 feet

Soil: Loamy

Sun: Full sun

Where Do Bee Balms Grow?

This plant is native to eastern North America. As it thrives in moist conditions, you will often find it growing close to water.

It is a hardy plant that can grow well anywhere in zones 3 through 9, so you can cultivate it widely.

Why Grow Bee Balms?

There are many great reasons to think about planting bee balms in your garden. Here are a few of their benefits:

• Just as you would assume given the name, bees and other pollinators love these plants. Farmer’s Almanac writes, “Bee balm is a great addition to a pollinator garden. The flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees; and the seed heads will attract birds in the fall and winter.”
• Bee balm plants are deer-resistant. While the citrusy odor of the leaves of this plant may be pleasing to you, deer are not such fans. And because it is the fragrance that they dislike so much, they may even avoid close proximity to your bee balm plants altogether. That means that they may offer some protective effect for other plants near them.
• If you leave some seed heads during winter, the birds in your area will have something to eat.
• The flowers of bee balm add a burst of color to your garden. Since there are many varieties available, you can choose a hue that suits your landscaping plan.
• The lovely fragrance of bee balm leaves will be a delight to your senses, reminding you of citrus.
• There are a lot of uses for bee balm. You can harvest bee balm for spices, teas, essential oils, and herbal remedies. In fact, you will probably have a lot of fun discovering its many uses!
• Bee balms offer you a relatively long bloom period if you deadhead them. So, you’ll be able to enjoy the flowers and the welcome guests they bring to your garden for weeks during the bloom season.

Bee Balm Landscaping Ideas

Here are some ideas for how you can use bee balm to enhance your landscaping:

• Plant bee balm in your pollinator garden. Put it next to other plants that butterflies, birds, and bees favor, and watch your garden become popular with your winged friends.
• Use bee balm in a rock garden. Bee balm thrives beautifully in such environments, so long as it is in rich soil.
• Plant bee balm in a native garden. Growing only native plants in your North American garden? Bee balm will fit right in with your other selections.
• Intersperse plants deer eat with bee balm. This landscaping plan is all about maximizing the functional benefits of this deer-resistant plant.

Recommended Bee Balm Varieties

As with other perennials we recommend for a pollinator garden, bee balms come in many different cultivars. Let’s take a look at some top recommended varieties so you can find the bee balm plants that are perfect for your garden.

• Monarda bartletti: A purple variety of bee balm to consider is this type that grows in Mexico up in the mountains. One of the reasons it is worth considering is that it does a good job resisting mold. So, if you have a compact garden without a lot of space, it may tolerate crowding better than some other types of bee balm.
• Lemon Mint: This type of bee balm may also be called “lemon bee balm” or Monarda citriodora. Not surprisingly, the name “lemon mint” is a reference to the aroma. This type of bee balm produces tall stalks of flowers with a deep pinkish purplish hue. The flowers are eye-catching, and can make a nice backdrop for shorter blossoms.
• Balmy Pink: If you want a bee balm plant that produces pink flowers, the beautiful blooms of the “Balmy Pink” variety are sure to please you beginning in late spring. This plant can reach up to a foot in height.
• Balmy Purple: Another purple flower variety worth thinking about is the “Balmy Purple” bee balm. These blossoms can more accurately be described as more of a magenta color—but in the right light, they can appear quite purplish.
• Raspberry Wine: If you want to attract hummingbirds and are in search of a red cultivar of bee balm, the “Raspberry Wine” variety might fit the bill. This type of bee balm produces flowers with a cool, pinkish red color.
• Squaw: Another option for red bee balm is this cultivar. The flowers are a warmer red color than those on the “Raspberry Wine” cultivar, and again should be eye-catching for hummingbirds. The Royal Horticultural Society honored this plant with the Award of Garden Merit.
• Easter: The “Easter” bee balm is a stunning variety that produces striking flowers. It can grow to be anywhere from 1-2 feet in height. At a glance, the flowers may appear in some lighting to be white, but they are actually a very faint shade of lavender. If you look at them closely, you will notice lots of tiny little dots at the ends of the petals.
• Basil: The bee balm called “basil” is commonly found in the Midwest and in Louisiana and Texas. The flowers are a very light purplish color that looks almost white.
• Prarienacht: If you would like a type of bee balm that produces flowers that have large middles and thin petals, almost like an aster, this cultivar is worth planting. The purplish color of the flowers is as appealing as its shape.
• Purple bergamot: This cultivar is a tall one, rising to over 3 feet. You can find it in the eastern United States and in Ontario. Pinkish purplish flowers give the plant its name, along with its characteristic smell.
• Spotted: The “Spotted” cultivar of bee balm rises to around two feet in height. The flowers are a creamy shade of white. As the name implies, the petals have tiny spots. This gives the plant quite a distinctive appearance.
• Pony: This cultivar of bee balm can be found throughout the southwestern US. As with some other types of bee balm, the flowers may look white at first glance, but upon closer examination, you will see that they are very light lavender. They grow in tiers along their stalks, and have an elegant look. It will be happiest if you can plant it in soil that is slightly acidic.
• Petite Delight: Bright pink flowers and a beautiful fragrance make this plant a “Petite Delight” during the summer months.
• Scarlet: Another option for a red bee balm plant is the “Scarlet” cultivar, which has an appearance similar to that of the “Squaw.” The hummingbirds will love this one!
• Beauty of Cobham: This cultivar is another winner of the Royal Horticultural Society’s Award of Garden Merit. It has light pinkish-purplish flowers with a delicate appearance.
• Marshall’s Delight: For bold pink blooms that begin in summer and continue into the early part of autumn, plant “Marshall’s Delight” bee balms. These mildew-resistant flowers can beautify any garden.
• Violet Queen: This cultivar of bee balm features blossoms with a bright pinkish purple color. With their vibrant blooms, they will be your garden’s crowning jewel.

Those are just some examples of the wide range of bee balm cultivars that are out there. Keep researching to discover more types of bee balm for your garden.

When Do Bee Balms Bloom?

Bee balm plants bloom during the summer.

How Long Do Bee Balms Bloom?

You can expect each wave of blossoms to last for several weeks. If you deadhead the bee balm, it will blossom again. In total, you can enjoy the blooms for around 8 weeks if you take this approach.

When to Plant Bee Balms

You can plant bee balm in spring or fall.

Ideal Growing Conditions for Bee Balms

To grow bee balm plants successfully, you need to know in what conditions they thrive best. Let’s go over their requirements for sunlight, soil, and water.

How Much Sun Do Bee Balms Need?

If possible, your bee balm flowers should be planted in full sunlight. If all you have is partial shade, you can get away with it. Just know that the flowers will be more abundant if you have full sun.

What Type of Soil is Right for Bee Balms?

Fertile, well-drained soil is suitable for growing bee balm plants. Wet soil can be okay so long as there is adequate drainage and it does not become waterlogged. Most important is to avoid dry soil.

As far as pH goes, aim for neutral to slightly acidic.

How Much Water Do Bee Balms Need?

Ensuring that your bee balm plants are receiving adequate water is absolutely critical to their growth.

Iowa State University Extension and Outreach suggests, “Bee balms like an even supply of moisture during the growing season. For best performance, water bee balms every seven to 10 days during dry periods. When watering, soak the soil to a depth of 6 to 8 inches. Apply a mulch around plants to conserve soil moisture and reduce the frequency of watering.”

How to Plant Bee Balms

You now know what conditions bee balm plants like. But how do you plant them?

Below, we go over instructions for container and ground planting. For both, we will assume you have a starter plant.

After that, we will talk about how you can start bee balm from seeds.

Container Planting

Bee balms are great for a container garden. Here are the steps for growing bee balm in containers.

1. Get the right containers.

You will need pots that are around 5-10 gallons for your bee balms. They need to have drainage holes in the bottoms.

2. Add the potting soil.

Put moist potting soil in your pots. You should water it after you add it. That way, you can be assured that there are no dry patches. Wait for the water to drain.

3. Make a hole.

Put a hole in the soil for your starter plant.

4. Plant the bee balm.

Place the bee balm gently in the hole and backfill the soil. Tamp it down.

5. Choose a location for the pot.

Pick a spot that maximizes the exposure to direct sunlight that your plant will get. The more sun it receives, the more blossoms you can look forward to.

6. Water regularly.

Give your plant plenty of water as it is establishing. Afterwards, water it often enough to maintain the moisture inside the container.

Ground Planting

Here is how you can plant a bee balm directly in your garden bed:

1. Choose a suitable location for your bee balm plant. If you are planting more than one bee balm, give each of them a foot and a half to two feet of space.
2. Prepare the soil.

Loosen the soil before planting, and add compost if it is not already rich in organic matter.

3. Make a hole for the plant.

The size of the hole should be based on the size of the root ball. Make a little extra room.

4. Plant the bee balm.

Put the bee balm root ball in the hole. Backfill the soil and tamp it down.

5. Water thoroughly.

Be sure to water your plant deeply after you finish planting. It may need extra water as it is establishing as well.

Starting Bee Balm from Seeds

What if you want to start your bee balm plants from seeds? Here are the steps. Get started 6-8 weeks before you expect the last frost.

1. Begin with appropriate supplies. You will need some type of starter pots; peat pots can do nicely. You also will require a suitably rich potting mix.
2. Fill your peat pots with the potting mix.
3. Add your seeds to the pots. You can plant up to 5 seeds in each of your peat pots. Do not put much potting mix on top of them. The seeds need to be exposed to light.
4. Use a spray bottle to mist the seeds gently. Do not pour water directly into the pots.
5. Cover the pots with plastic wrap. This will help to keep the potting mix moist during the germination process. But you will still need to check on it and mist it regularly.
6. Find a spot for the seeds while they germinate. It should receive plenty of light, and the temperature should be no longer than 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
7. Wait for the seeds to germinate.
8. After the seeds have sprouted and have had some time to grow, you can take them outside.
9. Begin by hardening your seedlings. That means moving them indoors, outdoors, indoors, outdoors, indoors, and outdoors again. Do this repeatedly for about a week and a half.
10. After hardening your seedlings is complete, you may transplant them in their permanent homes (a container or your garden bed).

How to Care for Bee Balms

You know how to plant bee bomb now, whether in a container or in your garden bed. But what are the basic requirements of ongoing care? Below, we discuss fertilizing, mulching, and more.

How to Fertilize Bee Balms

Iowa State University provides guidelines on fertilizing bee balms. The extension program writes, “Bee balms don’t require frequent or heavy fertilizer applications. Sprinkling a small amount of an all-purpose garden fertilizer, such as 10-10-10, around each plant in early spring is usually sufficient. Avoid excessive fertilization. Frequent or heavy applications of fertilizer encourage rampant, succulent growth and may increase the severity of powdery mildew.”

How to Mulch Bee Balms

Because the health of your bee balm plants is so dependent upon moist soil, mulching is frequently helpful.

To help lock in moisture, place two inches of compost or another material on top of your soil around your bee balms.

How to Stake Bee Balms

Bee balm grows on square stems that are sturdy enough to support flowers on their own in most cases.

But there are situations where staking bee balm plants does help, such as when you are planting tall varieties or when there is no shelter from strong gusts of wind.

In these scenarios, you may want to set up the stakes when you plant the bee balms rather than waiting until they have grown.

How to Prune Bee Balms

Pruning bee balms consists of a combination of deadheading and cutting. Let’s go over both.

How to Deadhead Bee Balms

Do you want your bee balm plants to blossom more than once a season? Then you will need to deadhead them.

Enjoy the flower clusters while they last. After they wilt, use garden shears to trim the stems. Look for a leaf bud or leaf, and snip about a quarter of an inch away from it. If you are lucky, this will prompt another round of blooming.

Do not leave the dead plant matter you cut away to pile up on the ground around your plants. Doing so may reduce air circulation and encourage pests to move in.

When to Cut Back Bee Balms

You can cut back bee balm plants after the flowering season is over. Late fall is the ideal time to do this.

That said, you might not want to cut back all of the stems. If you do, there will be no seed heads left to feed birds during winter.

Are Bee Balms Vulnerable to Diseases or Pests?

The principal threat to your bee balm plants is powdery mildew.

Iowa State suggests, “The best way for home gardeners to avoid the annoying problem of powdery mildew is to select and plant mildew resistant varieties. Varieties that possess good to excellent resistance to powdery mildew include ‘Marshall’s Delight’ (bright pink flowers), ‘Jacob Cline’ (deep red flowers), Grand Marshall™ (fuschia-purple flowers) and ‘Raspberry Wine’ (wine red flowers).”

Poor air circulation is a primary cause of powdery mildew. So, make sure when you plant your bee balms, they are not crowded in. That way, they will get plenty of air circulation.

Although powdery mildew is the usual suspect when it comes to bee balm disease, leaf spot, rust, southern blight, and some other diseases also can affect these plants.

Additionally, fourlined plant bugs, aphids, mites, and some other pests sometimes may attack bee balm plants.

How to Divide Bee Balms

Bee balms are plants that spread outward. As new growth appears around the edges, the roots in the middle perish.

That means that if you never divide your bee balms, they can start to take on a ragged appearance. They may also spread where you do not want them.

So, when your plant has been in place for two to three years, if you notice it starting to spread and thin out, it may be time to divide it.

Iowa State University instructs, “Early spring is the best time to dig and divide bee balms. Dig up the plants as soon as new growth appears in spring. Divide the clump into sections with a sharp knife. Each section should have several shoots and a good root system. Immediately replant the divisions.”

You will need to divide your bee balms again in another 2-3 years.

Recommended Companion Plants for Bee Balms

What should you plant next to your bee balm plants? Here are a few ideas:

• Dwarf amsonia: This perennial produces purplish flowers and grows close to the ground. Some people like to plant it in front of bee balms to conceal the stems, as their appearances can get a big scraggly.
• Shasta daisy: These delightful cottage garden classics look lovely growing next to bee balm, and are a companion planting favorite.
• Coneflower: Just like bee balms, coneflowers are exciting plants for pollinators. So, if you plant them together, you increase the allure of your garden even more.
• Anything deer like to eat: Because deer dislike the odor of bee balms so much, they may serve as a mild deterrent for plants you want to protect. Try surrounding vulnerable deer favorites with bee balms to see if it helps.

Those are just a few ideas! You will doubtless come up with others.

How to Harvest and Preserve Bee Balm

While many people plant bee balm in order to enjoy the flowers, the scent, and the pollinators that these blossoms bring to their yards, some gardeners plant bee balm in order to harvest it.

K-State Research and Extension says, “Harvest aerial parts at any time during the growing season. Can be harvested two to three times per year.”

You can harvest the bee balm flowers and the leaves. You can use the stems too if you want. Typically after harvesting them, one hangs them while they dry.

After you have dried the flowers and/or leaves, you can crush them. You then can put them in an airtight container for later use.

K-State says that you can substitute bee balm for oregano in recipes. Many people like to use bee balm to brew tea as well.

The site adds, “Folk uses are for digestive disorders, flatulence and to regulate menstruation. M. didyma also contains volatile oils, flavonoids and anthocyans, and is used for the same things as M. punctata. It is also used for premenstrual syndrome. The essential oil may also be used to treat chronic bronchitis. The Lakotas drank a tea from the flower clusters of M. fistulosa as a remedy for fevers and colds. Tea leaves were also used for whooping cough and were considered good for people who had fainted. Boiled leaves, wrapped in a soft cloth and placed on sore eyes overnight, were used to relieve pain.”

So, if you are into traditional home remedies, that gives you some ideas for how you might be able to make use of bee balm you harvest from your garden.

The scent of bee balm is also enjoyable, so another thing you can do is try making essential oil from the bee balm leaves.

While there are a variety of methods that you can use to extract essential oils, the one that is likely easiest to try at home is steam distillation.

With steam distillation, you literally just put the leaves in a saucepan and raise it to a boil. After a time, the oils will separate. You then can turn off the heat and use an eyedropper to get the oils and transfer them to a bottle.

Just note that you may not achieve the results you are hoping for with this method. Alas, if you want a really pure product, you need commercial equipment.

Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Bee Balms

Q: What eats bee balms?

A: Deer and rabbits usually do not eat bee balms. So, if something is munching on your bee balm plants, insects are the likeliest culprits.

Q: What is best to plant with bee balms?

A: Coneflowers, Shasta daisies, and dwarf amsonia are a few popular choices for companion planting with bee balms.

Q: Is bee balm invasive?

A: That depends on what you mean by “invasive.” If you are asking whether it spreads rapidly, yes, it does. You will need to control it with care (dividing every 2-3 years as recommended is a big help).

But if you are asking whether it is an intruder in your area, that depends on where you live. If you are in North America, then the answer is no. The plant is native to this continent, and is therefore not an invasive presence.

Q: How do I use bee balm in an herb garden?

A: Bee balm can make a great addition to your herb garden if you want to grow a plant that you can use for tea, herbal remedies, or essential oils. It also can be grown as a spice.

Q: Are bee balms annual or perennial?

A: Most bee balms are classified as herbaceous perennial plants, and return year after year. But there are also some annual varieties out there.

Q: Which color of bee balm do hummingbirds like?

A: If in doubt, a good choice is the color red. But you can go with any hue and still attract hummingbirds.

Audubon explains, “What is it about hummingbirds and the color red? Red flowers, and of course red feeders, are often rich sources of food for hummingbirds. The color red often signals high-octane fuel for their intensely active way of life.”

That being said, you are not out of luck if you go with another color, because the birds that frequent your area should adapt once they discover the food source.

Audubon continues, “But it turns out that it’s the nectar, not the color that makes the most difference with hummingbirds. By varying the nectar content of flowers, researchers were quickly able to switch hummers from a preference for red to a preference for the most nectar-rich flowers, regardless of color. So even though hummingbirds’ eyes have a heightened sensitivity to colors in the red to yellow range, the little sprites are fast learners and will go to where the nourishment is.”

So, even if the hummingbirds do not spot the purple, white, or pink bee balm you planted immediately, they should get used to it. After they do, it should be as attractive to them as any red bee balm.

Q: Does bee balm make a good cut flower?

A: Yes, you can cut bee balm flowers for bouquets. Because the stems are sturdy, they tend to stand up nicely in a vase, making them easy to work into arrangements. Each flower can add a bright pop of color, and the leaves can add some extra fragrance.

Where to Buy Bee Balms

If you are ready to attract pollinators to your garden and delight in the beautiful scent of bee balm flowers, you can shop for them online. Click the link below to shop popular bee balm cultivars.