Did you know a single bee balm plant can attract 30 different pollinator species? This vibrant flower blooms in summer, offering fragrant flowers in red, pink, lavender, and white. It spreads quickly and thrives in many conditions, making it a powerhouse for local ecosystems and your herbal medicine cabinet.
Use this guide to learn how to grow, care, harvest, and store bee balm. With the right tips, you’ll have a beautiful, low-maintenance plant that benefits your garden and health alike.
Why I Love Bee Balm
Bee balm (along with calendula) are the primary herbs used in the bag balm I make for our dairy cow (you can see it growing in this cottage garden tour video). We love using medicinal herbs on farm animals when possible, as well as growing our own medicinal herbs in our cottage garden. Bee balm is also an ingredient in my homemade Neosporin and an all-around great herb to have in your herbal medicine cabinet.
Check out some of my other posts if you want to learn how to use herbal medicine safely at home and start using medicinal herbs for your family. Then, if you want tips on starting your own herb garden, read this post on designing an old-fashioned cottage garden.
It’s important to note that I am not a certified medical practitioner. This post is not intended to diagnose or treat but is for informational purposes only. Please contact your healthcare professional before introducing new herbal and natural remedies into your wellness routine.
What Is Bee Balm?
Bee balm is a perennial plant, meaning it comes back each year. It belongs to the mint family and is from eastern and central North America. This plant is loved for its big, colorful flowers in summer. It usually stands 2-4 feet high and has long, thin flowers close together.
Bee balm is great at attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. It has a special way of growing fast and smells really nice. The leaves and flowers can be used to make medicine, as Native Americans and early settlers did.
This herb has many names, like bergamot, wild bergamot, and horsemint. “Oswego tea” is another name because people used it to make tea. “Bee balm” got its name from being used to heal bee stings. For a long time, people have made drinks and medicines from its parts.
Types of Bee Balm Plant
There are several varieties of bee balm plants available to suit your specific gardening conditions.
- Monarda fistulosa Varieties – Monarda fistulosa, known as wild bergamot, blooms lavender-pink. It thrives in dry soils. Varieties like ‘Claire Grace’ offer deep purple flowers and fight off powdery mildew.
- Monarda didyma Varieties – The Monarda didyma species is famous for its vibrant red flowers, such as ‘Jacob Cline’ (intense red), ‘Raspberry Wine’ (dark red), and ‘Marshall’s Delight’ (vivid pink), all are sturdy against powdery mildew.
- Compact and Miniature Varieties – In more confined garden spaces, compact and miniature bee balm types work well. For example, ‘Petite Wonder’ and ‘Petite Delight’ reach only 12-18 inches high.
Health Benefits of Bee Balm
The leaves and flowers of bee balm have been used for healing for many years. Historically, Native Americans and early settlers used it in teas and salves to treat many health issues. Here are a few ways bee balm is still used today.
- Digestion – The flowers and leaves of bee balm contain flavonoids that aid in digestional issues. (Source)
- Respiratory Infections – Bee balm’s essential oils have been found to have potent anti-bacterial properties, aiding in the treatment of respiratory infections, particularly those that are antibiotic-resistant. (Source)
- Fungal Infections – The anti-fungal properties in bee balm can be used to protect against and treat fungal infections such as athlete’s foot and thrush. (Source)
- Inflammation – Bee balm contains thymol, which is particularly helpful in reducing swelling from inflammation caused by bee stings, sunburn, and other minor wounds. (Source)
Bee balm is a good choice for the home apothecary and it offers mental health benefits because it looks good, too. Its flowers last a long time in a vase, so you can enjoy its beauty and scent indoors, boosting your mood and energy. (Source)
Growing Bee Balm
Planting
- Location – Bee balm doesn’t do well in droughts and might wilt in hot, dry places. Too much humidity can cause fungal diseases. Make sure it’s breezy where you plant it. Good airflow helps avoid sickness in the plants. Bee balm is also a great option for growing in pots. These plants can survive cold winters from Zones 3-9, but very cold weather could harm them. Homesteading Hack: Don’t take it indoors after the growing season; bee balm needs a rest in winter. Instead, learn how to winterize plants in pots here.
- Timing – Bee balm is best planted in spring or fall. Spring is perfect for moving and dividing larger plants. If you’re putting in new plants, do so after the last frost.
- Sun – This plant loves the sun. It needs at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Too much shade can lead to disease and less flowering.
- Soil – Bee balm should be planted in damp but draining soil. For the best results, test your soil’s pH before planting. To improve the soil’s fertility and drainage, add compost or manure.
- Seeds – Growing bee balm from seeds requires more time. Plant your seeds indoors about 8 weeks before the last frost. Always keep the soil moist and warm until the seeds germinate.
- Stem Cuttings – If you choose to use stem cuttings, do so in spring. Cut 6-inch pieces of new growth and remove their lower leaves. Then, dip the cut end in hormone powder and plant in a pot. Keep it moist and covered until roots show, about 2-3 weeks. Learn more about propagating plants here.
- Seedlings – Before transplanting your seedlings, harden them off for a few days to allow them to get used to the spring weather. When first planted, water them well. This helps them get used to their new home.
- Spacing – Keep each bee balm plant 18-24 inches from the others to allow them to expand year after year.
- Companion Planting – Bee balm attracts pollinators, making it a good companion plant for tomatoes, peppers, and squash. However, because it tends to spread, it is not a good neighbor to root crops such as carrots, garlic, and onions.
Caring for Your Bee Balm Plant
- Watering – Bee balm plants like a steady amount of water. To keep bee balm healthy, provide regular watering and well-drained soil. Water the plants deeply every 7 to 10 days, making sure the water soaks down 6 to 8 inches. Try not to wet the leaves to avoid powdery mildew. Homesteading Hack: You can check out our garden watering strategies for more tips on properly watering a garden.
- Managing Growth – To keep bee balm spreading, divide it every 2 to 3 years. This helps avoid overcrowding and improves blooming.
- Fertilizing – Bee balm doesn’t need much food. Use an organic slow-release fertilizer in the early spring if you like. Remove old blooms to keep new flowers coming all summer. After the first fall frost, trim the plants down to just a few inches.
- Pests – Bee balm faces various pest challenges like aphids, spider mites, and thrips. Always check your plants for pests. Early detection helps prevent these bugs from causing too much harm.
- Diseases – Powdery mildew is a major issue for bee balm. This fungal disease makes the leaves look white and powdery. To prevent it, space your plants out well and keep the air moving around them. Try not to water them from above. There are also other diseases to watch out for, like southern blight and rust.
Harvesting Bee Balm
- Timing – The stems, leaves, and flowers of bee balm can be harvested to make herbal teas, steam inhalations, infused honey, herbal tinctures and oxymels. Harvest when the flowers are at their peak, which is generally mid to late summer.
- Cut Flowers – Once bee balm blooms, picking the flowers for bouquets will encourage more growth. Cut the main stem just as the blooms open. This way, the side shoots can also grow and be picked. Its sweet scent makes any room feel fresh. You can enjoy the blooms for about a week in a vase.
- Fresh Use – Bee balm leaves and flowers are good to eat. Bee balm leaves add a tasty kick to dishes like salads or as a pretty garnish.
- Storing – To keep bee balm for longer, dry it. Tie bunches and hang them upside down in a dark, dry place (following this same method for drying fresh herbs). Once they’re dry, store the leaves and flowers in airtight containers. They’ll be ready whenever you need them.
Using Herbal Medicine
Bee balm is an amazing plant that is easy to grow. It will make your garden beautiful and active during the growing season and provide an effective herb to stock your natural medicine cabinet.
If you are new to herbal medicine and lack the confidence to create your own remedies at home, the Herbal Medicine Cabinet: Colds and Flu class is designed just for you.
With a recent update to include flu and flu-like viruses, you will have answers to questions like…
- Which herbs are you supposed to use for various illnesses?
- Where do you find the best quality herbal medicines?
- Are all herbs safe to treat your family with?
- And so much more!
Sign up for instant access, and get started on your natural wellness journey today!
FAQ
Bee balm is a bright perennial flower that blooms in summer. It draws in hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. This happens with its fragrant tubular flowers. This plant is native to North America and is loved for its easy care. It comes in colors like red, pink, lavender, and white.
Several names are used for bee balm. These include bergamot, wild bergamot, horsemint, and Oswego tea. It is called “bee balm” because it was once used to treat bee stings.
Bee balm is special for how it attracts pollinators. It’s perfect for hummingbirds with its tubular flowers. The plant establishes roots quickly, and the blooms smell great.
Bee balm attracts important pollinators and is good for your garden. It has been used for medicine because it has thymol, which fights germs. The flowers also last a long time in a vase.
It’s best to plant bee balm in spring or fall. Divide and move your plants in spring. Wait until after the last frost to plant new ones.
Aphids, spider mites, and other bugs can bother bee balm. It can also get sick with powdery mildew. Good spacing and airflow can stop this disease.
Yes, bee balm can live in big pots for small gardens. Pick a smaller variety, give it sun and water, and remember to divide the plant every few years to keep it healthy.
Other Posts You May Enjoy
- Using Medicinal Herbs on Farm Animals
- Growing Calendula Flowers (Plant, Harvest, Preserve)
- Homemade Antibiotic Ointment (Better Than Neosporin)
- How to Use Herb Medicine Safely at Home
- How To Start Using Medicinal Herbs
- 15 Medicinal Herbs To Grow, Harvest & How to Use Them
- Medicinal Herbs & Their Uses
- Designing an Old-Fashioned Cottage Garden
