Bee balm is a Native American plant with attractive tubular flowers with square stems. It serves as an ornamental flower, landscaping plant, and pollinator attractor when planted in an area that gets at least 6 hours of sun a day.

Not only is bee balm a great plant for pollinators like bees and hummingbirds, but it is said to protect against illness. For your garden to flourish like mine did when I began planting bee balm, it is essential to know the proper steps to plant and care for the plant.

    The History of Bee Balm

    Bee balm has been known in its wild form for hundreds of years and has collected quite a few common names, including horsemint and Oswego tea. It gives off the scent of oregano when cooked.

    This indigenous wildflower of North America was given its formal name, Monarda, in 1571. Despite its long history, bee balm’s use as a true garden plant is much more recent.

    Native Americans commonly used bee balm as a medicinal herb, in cooking, and as a tea. Bee balm’s pleasing, spicy aroma is almost identical to that of bergamot, the citrus fruit that gives Earl Grey tea its signature flavor. Early European colonists also used bee balm when black tea supplies were scarce, a practice that took off after the Boston Tea Party.

    With vibrant shades of purple, pink, and red flowers, bee balm is still used medicinally by many herbalists and is enjoyed as a fragrant addition to flower gardens, herb gardens, and butterfly gardens.

    LEFT Violet Queen, a mildew-resistant bee balm

    RIGHT Wild Bergamot, a standard type of bee balm

    Types of Bee Balm

    Bee balm is a member of the mint family and an herbaceous perennial. There are many commercially available varieties of bee balm to choose from. Of course, there is a spectrum of flower colors within each category. The three most common are:

    • Standard: These bee balm plants can grow up to five feet tall, making them the perfect choice for areas of your pollinator garden that would benefit from fuller foliage and a bit of height. I use standard bee balm in my garden. Standard varieties include Cambridge Scarlet (Monarda Didyma), Blue Stocking, Panorama Mix, and Wild Bergamot (Monarda Fistulosa).
    • Dwarf: These varieties have a compact profile, averaging 10–24 inches tall when fully mature. Petite Delight, Grand Marshall, and Fireball are excellent choices for container gardens.
    • Mildew-resistant: The one downside to bee balm is its susceptibility to powdery mildew, especially when grown in warm, humid climates. However, it is possible to select mildew-resistant varieties, such as Marshall’s Delight, Violet Queen, Jacob Cline, Purple Rooster, and Gardenview Scarlet. These are particularly good options for gardeners in the south.

    Where to Plant Bee Balm

    Bee balm can grow as a perennial in most temperate climates (USDA plant hardiness zones 3–9). It prefers full sun, but in hotter regions it may help to situate your plants in a location that receives a little afternoon partial shade.

    Bee balm does best in moist soil that is neutral or slightly acidic in terms of pH, and it requires well-drained, rich soil to stay healthy. Keep in mind that, like mint, bee balm spreads, so be thoughtful in selecting a location — you may end up with more purple flowers than you intended.

    Bee balm also likes companion plants, so if you opt for a container variety, put it in a shared container with something else.

    How to Plant Bee Balm

    Bee balm can be direct-seeded into your garden, but most seed vendors recommend starting the plant indoors and transplanting the seedlings.

    You can also transplant bee balm plants from a friend’s garden or purchase seedlings from a local nursery. There are specific steps to follow when planting bee balm, which helped me when I decided to add it to my cottage garden.

    Follow these steps to start your own bee balm seeds indoors and plant the seedlings in your garden:

    1. Beginning 6–8 weeks before your local frost-free date, sow bee balm seeds in small pots or seed trays, pressing them gently into the potting soil. Bee balm requires some light to germinate, so the seeds should be covered just barely or not at all. Place the seeded pots or trays in a warm and sunny indoor spot, making sure to keep the potting soil evenly moist, until the seeds germinate.
    2. Once the seeds have germinated, continue watering the plants regularly until after the last frost.
    3. “Harden off” your bee balm seedlings over a few days by taking them outdoors for a few hours each day (a location with dappled sunlight is best) and then returning them indoors. This gives the plants time to acclimate to outdoor temperatures before their big move to the garden.
    4. Choose a location in your yard or garden that gets either full sun or full morning sun with afternoon shade. The soil should be fertile, neutral, or slightly acidic, and well-drained.
    5. Using a spade, dig a hole that is large enough to accommodate the seedling’s root ball and some or all of the potting soil.
    6. Place the bee balm seedling in the hole and refill the hole with soil, gently tamping down the soil around the base of the plant.
    7. Water thoroughly, at least once every 7 to 10 days.
    8. Space bee balm plants 12–24 inches apart (be sure to check your chosen varieties for specific spacing requirements).

    Troubleshooting

    Bee balm is drought-tolerant, deer-resistant, and many varieties are mildew-resistant. While it is generally low-maintenance, sometimes the flowers do not thrive. If your bee balm isn’t experiencing new growth, there could be several reasons it isn’t blooming. It could be due to:

    • Climate
    • Poor soil health
    • Improper sun
    • Overfertilization
    • Pests
    • Fungal disease
    • Old age
    • Overcrowding
    • Nutrient deficiency
    • Inadequate water
    • Calcium deficiency

    While you can likely identify most of these issues, a calcium deficiency can be difficult to determine. You can tell that your bee balm might have a calcium deficiency if it is unusually slow growing. To help it become healthy again, amend the soil with a source of calcium every 2 to 3 years.

    Bee Balm Care

    Take the following steps to care for your bee balm plants and ensure that they thrive for years to come.

    • Through the early spring and late summer, thoroughly water your bee balm plants once a week unless you get ample rain (an inch or more per week).
    • Clip off dead bee balm flowers to encourage a second round of blooms later in the growing season.
    • Cut flowers back to just a few inches in the fall.
    • Deadheading your bee balms helps increase good air circulation, which prevents fungus.
    • Divide the plants every three years in the fall to maintain hardiness and reduce the spread of powdery mildew.  
    • Remove dead foliage to reduce the spread of disease.
    • Top-dress with compost or fertilizer once a year.
    • Mulching can help protect the bee balm by keeping the soil moist and preventing weeds.
    • Avoid planting phlox next to bee balm, is it can spread a fungus.

    How to Plant and Care for Bee Balm: FAQs

    Where is the best place to plant bee balm?

    The best place to plant bee balm is in a full sun area, but it can also grow in part shade. The soil should be rich to encourage the plant to grow tall and strong.

    Does bee balm grow back every year?

    Yes, bee balm plants come back and multiply every year. The plant tends to bloom in late July and continues to bloom throughout the late summer.

    Is bee balm ever invasive?

    Bee balm can be invasive to garden areas because it easily multiplies and spreads. The best thing you can do to avoid it becoming invasive is to dig and divide the balms every 2 to 3 years.

    Final Thoughts

    Bee balm can be a significant addition to your garden. While its stunning aesthetics can enhance any garden, its aromatic properties and medicinal uses continue to be celebrated.

    Available in many types and sizes, from standard to dwarf and mildew-resistant, bee balm offers options for every gardener. When planted with care and attention to its unique needs, bee balm can flourish, attract pollinators, and pervade gardens with a bit of history, beauty, and functionality.

    If you’re looking for a plant that embodies a blend of past and present, aesthetic and practicality, bee balm may be the perfect addition to your garden.

    Article Updates

    September 12, 2023

    Reviewed for accuracy, cost data, industry best practices, and expert advice by Coty Perry.

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    Coty Perry

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