Melissa Species, Balm Mint, Lemon Balm
Melissaofficinalis 'Citronella'

Family: Lamiaceae (lay-mee-AY-see-ee)
Genus: Melissa (mel-ISS-a)
Species: officinalis (oh-fiss-ih-NAH-liss)
Cultivar: Citronella

Category
Herbs

Water Requirements
Drought-tolerant; suitable for xeriscaping
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Requires consistently moist soil; do not let dry out between waterings

Sun Exposure
Full Sun

Foliage
Grown for foliage
Shiny/Glossy

Foliage Color
Light Green

Height
12-18 in. (30-45 cm)

Spacing
12-15 in. (30-38 cm)

Hardiness
USDA Zone 4a: to -34.4 °C (-30 °F)
USDA Zone 4b: to -31.6 °C (-25 °F)
USDA Zone 5a: to -28.8 °C (-20 °F)
USDA Zone 5b: to -26.1 °C (-15 °F)
USDA Zone 6a: to -23.3 °C (-10 °F)
USDA Zone 6b: to -20.5 °C (-5 °F)
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)

Where to Grow
Grow outdoors year-round in hardiness zone
Can be grown as an annual

Danger
N/A

Bloom Color
Cream/Tan

Bloom Characteristics
This plant is attractive to bees, butterflies and/or birds
Flowers are fragrant

Bloom Size
Under 1"

Bloom Time
Mid Summer
Late Summer/Early Fall

Other details
May be a noxious weed or invasive

Soil pH requirements
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
7.6 to 7.8 (mildly alkaline)

Patent Information
Non-patented

Propagation Methods
From herbaceous stem cuttings
Self-sows freely; deadhead if you do not want volunteer seedlings next season

Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds