The leaves of lemon balm are strongly lemon-scented. The dainty white flowers attract many honeybees.

Use dried lemon balm leaves in sachets. Zones 6 – 9. Full sun to partial shade. Any drained soil is ideal. Take cutting or divide older plants in spring or fall. Each fall cut away old stalks. Perennial, height 1 – 2 feet. Stems Square, breaching, with oval toothed leaves. Flowers for June to October, small white tubular blossoms in bunches in the upper leaf axils. Thin dense plantings for best air circulation, to prevent powdery mildew. Rarely bothered by insects. Collect leaves in late summer and dry quickly to prevent them from turning black. Cut the entire plants, leaving about 2 inches of the stems. Use leaves fresh in salads and for cooking, or dry them for making tea. The leaves lowest on the plants are said to be highest in essential oils. Other Names: Sweet Balm/Bee Balm.