Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)

Hi,

does anyone grow Lemon Balm? I had some seeds and the germination rate was about 200% so now I'm stuck with a potful of vigorous plantlets badly in need of dividing.

The leaves have a wonderful citrony scent but I'm not quite sure how to use them- google suggests tea ( not into pond water things in my mug, would gin count? Oh, I don't like gin so forget that. ) and adding into salads and gut feeling says they might be nice garnish for chicken but realistically I think we'll not use it that much unless anyone can give any tips.

I think I'll keep one pot indoors in the kitchen, but would the rest be ok in outdoors herb pot (50cm), currently housing Chives, Thyme and Marjoram? Or will the lovely Balm swamp them?

How hardy is it?

Thanks for any tips, last time I grew the thing was around 1980

 

Lemon balm is indestructible. I bought one plant years ago, and three years later it was popping up all over my garden and in next doors too. I don't grow it anymore and have moved house since (not because of the lemon balm).

When I used it, here's some of the things I did.

Put a few leaves along with a sprig of rosemary in a cup of boiling water, let it cool a bit. Excellent refreshing hangover helper.

Leaves chopped fairly fine and mixed in a salad, adds a nice refreshing flavour.

Dig it up every day, makes great daily exercise, and it'll be back tomorrow for your next workout.

 

Yeah I found it growing wild on the allotment site, bit like mint in that it gets everywhere but probably less invasive.
I couldn't find a use for it either.

 

Thanks!

I knew it was a mistake to get mad at Wilko's end of season sale when all seeds were 10p...

Ah well, it's a pretty plant and the bath thing sounds doable.

Thanks for this, I will first have to start liking gin in order to get the hangover to cure



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