Lemon Balm. Invasive?

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MaryE Baker City, OR(Zone 5b) Nov 13, 2001

Can somebody tell me if lemon balm is invasive? It looks suspiciously like mint.

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melody Benton, KY(Zone 7a) Nov 13, 2001

Mine has a mind of it's own and comes up everywhere. It is invasive here in z7a and it is STILL GREEN!! Never mind that the Kudzu is sprouting back out with all this warm weather.

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Pardancanda "down the Shore", NJ(Zone 7a) Nov 13, 2001

Lemon balm is on the mint family, but spreads by self-seeding. Ay unwanted seedlings are easy to pull up. If you have a variegated lemon balm, remove any solid color stems, or they will take over. John

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Kathleen Panama, NY(Zone 5a) Nov 13, 2001

mary, it's only invasive if you didn't plan to have it EVERYWHERE! LOL - we have it in one of the lawns and it doesn't even mind being mowed. Pull the seedlings out when their young, mine puts down a miserably hard to pull root and giving it a little growth makes it worse.

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MaryE Baker City, OR(Zone 5b) Nov 13, 2001

It looks like my suspicions were right. I will plant it in a big flower pot that has no bottom and try to keep up pulling the little ones. Mine is in the vegie garden temporarily so I may see some little ones there. It smells so good I want it near the back door. Mine is still green also in spite of having 20* several nights.

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Badseed Hillsboro, OH(Zone 6a) Nov 13, 2001

Planting in a pot is a great idea. You can also control it better by simply snipping off the flowers. No flowers, no seeds. :)

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Gwydion Kitchener, ON(Zone 5A) Nov 13, 2001

oh my,........ I had one in a pot and now I have it all over my yard.....

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pebble Bodrum, Turkey(Zone 10a) Nov 13, 2001

It does seem to have a mind of it's own!

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Happyoma Laurel, MD(Zone 7a) Nov 14, 2001

It has taken over a raised bed of mine!! I have tried pulling chopping weed killers to no avail and Now it is war!!! I am planning a boiling water attack this weekend. Next time I am planting in a coffee can that has the bottom cut out - have heard that helps contain the root system.

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melody Benton, KY(Zone 7a) Nov 14, 2001

Controlling the roots will not do much good.As said earlier..it spreads by seed. Cut your flower heads to prevent seeds.Then pull the ones that escape.

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kikisdad Spring Hill, FL(Zone 9a) Nov 20, 2001

Does lemon balm have any use as food or spice?

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Pardancanda "down the Shore", NJ(Zone 7a) Nov 20, 2001

Lemon balm, (Melissa officinalis);the dried leaves are more flavorful than the fresh ones. Excellent for tea. Here is a recipe for a Lemon Balm Cooler: Marinate (fresh)lemon balm leaves in dry white wine. Make coolers with one jigger of dry vermouth, a slice of lemon, and the white wine. Pour over ice. John

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kikisdad Spring Hill, FL(Zone 9a) Nov 20, 2001

Thanks,John. I have a lemon balm plant that my Vietnamese tennis buddy gave me, guess I'll plant it so as to have some coolers!

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