Comune

Class

Dicotyledons

Division

Angiospermae

Family

Lamiaceae or Labiatae

Order

Lamiales

Genus

Melissa

Species

officinalis

Description

An aromatic herbaceous perennial cultivated, either in open fields or flower beds as well as in pots, for its foliage used in food, herbal medicine and cosmetics. With a bushy habit and abundant branching, it flowers during the summer-autumn period, attracting useful pollinating insects such as bees and bumblebees, as evidenced by its botanical name, which derives from the Greek mélissa or mélitta, meaning bee, which in turn comes from meli meaning honey. It is easy to cultivate but requires abundant but water-free irrigation and preferably full sun exposure.

Variety description

It is a widespread aromatic plant with good organoleptic characteristics. The water requirements are quite high and it is of fundamental importance to carry out the cultivation care in the recommended time and manner. If cultivated correctly, lemon balm can guarantee abundant and continuous production for about 4-5 years. In the open field, flowering occurs in the summer-autumn period; although it grows in half-shade, the plant prefers full sun. Cultivation is possible not only in the open field but also in pots or tubs.

Curiosities and special features

Lemon balm leaves, fresh or dried, are appreciated in the culinary world for adding a distinctive flavour to cheeses, omelettes, salads, fish dishes or soups as well as being used to prepare teas and herbal teas.

In addition, leaves and flowers, taken as tablets or decoctions, appear to possess antiviral, antibacterial and antifungal properties, particularly suggested for treating herpes lip infections or used to relieve anxiety, depression and insomnia while creams and oils are used as healers.

Origin and distribution

Native to the eastern Mediterranean and western Asia, it is now naturalised throughout the world where the wild species can grow wild in undisturbed, moist soil from sea level up to 1000 metres above sea level.

Leaf

The tomentose leaves have an oval lamina.

Fruit

The leaf contains no seeds and has a weight of a: G with a tender texture. It ripens throughout the year and is fragrant with an intense aroma, bitter flavour and fresh taste. The colouring is uniform, while the skin is not edible. According to the technical evaluation, it is a variety with intermediate organoleptic characteristics and an overall good quality appearance.

Flowering period

Flowering lasts from early to mid-summer for 25 to 30 days.

Inflorescence

Inflorescence top.

Leaf colour

Unicolour shades.

Plant height

The height of the plant varies from 0.3 to 1 m, depending on the type of cultivation.

Lifespan

Herbaceous perennial.

Where to plant

Appreciated by professionals and gardeners at all levels of experience as a bedding plant , balcony plant , pot plant , large pot plant , open field plant , terrace plant, outdoor tub plant , tub plant

Stem

Plant with a herbaceous stem, the variety has no thorns.

Flower

The flower has a tubular corolla and single-coloured petals. It is arranged in medium-sized top inflorescences. It flowers from early to mid-summer, with a flowering period of 25 to 30 days. It is attractive to bees.

Growth

The variety shows determined growth to final size.

Plant habit

Bushy variety with suitable foliage density.

Branching

The abundant branching gives the plant a well-tended and proportioned appearance with a good final production level.

PH

The ideal pH of the soil during the growth phase is relatively variable, ranging between 5.5 and 8.2.

Soil preparation

For spring transplanting, carry out 20/30 cm deep digging, removing any weeds, previous crop residues and bulky stones, then bury organic or chemical slow-release fertiliser and work the clods further by breaking them up with a hoe. To improve the drainage of excess water, preventing water stagnation, continue with a slight ballasting of the soil, thus creating a raised bed where the seedlings will be transplanted according to a suitable planting pattern, and finally level the surface carefully.

During the cultivation cycle continue to work by hoeing the soil on the surface to a depth of 2/3 cm, eliminating weeds adjacent to the planting and breaking up any crust in order to improve the soil's water retention.

Sun exposure

Suitable for exposition to wind sheltered locations in half shade, afternoon sun, full sun. For luxuriant vegetative growth it is advisable to expose the plant to light, ensuring that it is watered in proportion to its needs.

Ideal climate and temperature

Theideal temperature is between 15 and 35 °C; the variety is suitable for temperate climates in soil conditions free of waterlogging.

Use

Variety widely appreciated, at all levels of professional experience, in different fields such as:

Agribusiness Officinal / phytotherapeutic field Profumeristic field Aromatics

Hardiness

A variety of medium hardiness, care should be taken to water frequently while avoiding harmful waterlogging.

Soil

It prefers a medium-textured soil, i.e. defined by a correct proportion of the different texture classes, as well as fresh, deep and endowed with organic substance; for pots or tubs, a horticultural soil with a blond and brown peat base is recommended.

Difficulty

An easy-to-grow plant, the level of management effort required is low overall, however, it is advisable to carry out the necessary cultivation care in the correct time and manner.

Growing tips

Here are some useful cultivation tips aimed at achieving the best results in both flowerbeds and pots:

Balanced fertilisation Avoid over-watering Keep the substrate moist at all times Require abundant but no stagnant watering

Intercropping/combination

Possible intercrops include watercress.

Combinations with other plants

Also suitable for creating refined flower beds with other aromatic species.

Planting

When transplanting into flowerbeds, prepare the planting holes in advance, spacing each plant correctly to ensure that they express the best growth vigour; in relation to the size reached at maturity we recommend an average density of 9 plants per square metre. It is advisable to position each specimen on a raised bed with the collar outside the soil surface, avoiding sinking the lump completely, and watering immediately after transplanting, preferably during the morning hours.

Pruning

Harvest by means of a clean cut at ground level in view of the position of the regrowth organs.

Propagation

Lemon balm is mainly propagated by dividing the head; direct sowing is often not recommended due to the poor germinability of the seed.

Repotting

During the spring period, if the plant shows stunted growth with roots completely enveloping the substrate, repot in a larger container with suitable soil.

Watering

The water requirements of lemon balm are high, so in order to ensure an adequate supply it is advisable to irrigate abundantly but without stagnation.

Use rainwater, or alternatively canal or aqueduct water with an optimal neutral pH, either by hand or by drip irrigation or sub-irrigation.

Water immediately after transplanting or potting and assist the seedling, which may be more exposed to water stress in the new site, by keeping it at a constant humidity, preventing dryness and without exceeding the quantities applied so as not to incur stagnation and root rot. Afterwards, allow the soil or substrate to dry slightly between irrigation and keep it moist; it is advisable not to water the aerial part of the plant during the afternoon/evening and to irrigate after the foliage has been harvested. During hot and dry periods it will be necessary to increase the frequency of watering.

For eventual sowing, moisten the seed to allow it to germinate, and after it has been completely buried and covered with a layer of substrate and inert material, keep the soil wet until the sprout emerges.

Fertilising

When preparing the soil before transplanting, carry out a basic fertilisation by burying organo-mineral fertiliser.

Subsequently, it is advisable to apply a specific water-soluble fertiliser for vegetable plants to the soil or substrate, to be diluted and distributed in suitable doses and frequencies in the irrigation water according to the plant's demand and the availability of nutrients in the soil in the different phases of the production cycle, increasing the nitrogen dose with fractioned contributions after each harvest cut.

For a continuous production level over time, a constant supply of maintenance fertiliser will be necessary, always by means of fertirrigation.

Pet safety

Toxicity to pets not known, however consider the specific case before possible administration.

Edibility for humans

Species with edible leaves.

Toxicity for humans

The leaves, fresh or dried, are not toxic if ingested in small quantities; consider the individual case for possible contraindications of intake.

Tip

Consider that, in principle, lemon balm, if managed correctly, does not require chemical pest control measures as a possible defence against pest attacks.