Looking to add a burst of color and fragrance to your garden? Look no further than bee balm! 🐝
This stunning plant, also known as Monarda, is a favorite of gardeners and pollinators alike. With its vibrant hues and sweet scent, it’s no wonder this perennial plant has become a staple in gardens worldwide.
Not only does it attract pollinators to the garden, but it also has medicinal properties.
But how do you grow and care for bee balm? In this guide, I’ll cover everything you need to know to keep your bee balm healthy and thriving, from planting to overwintering and everything in between.
Hot Tip: To learn more about other medicinal herbs you can grow in your herb garden, you can check out our 18 Common Medicinal Herbs article.
So, let’s get started and make your garden a buzzing paradise!
Plant Name: Monarda spp.
Other Name: Bee balm, horsemint, monarda, bergamot, wild bergamot
Plant Type: Herbaceous, perennial
Native Areas: North America
Light Requirement: Full sun to partial shade
Watering: Moderate
Fertilizer: Blanced all-purpose fertilizer
Toxicity: Non-toxic
Temperature: Warm
Propagation: Division, root cuttings, seed, softwood cuttings
Growth: 10–48 in. tall, 10–36 in. wide
Soil Type: Rich, moist soil
USDA Hardiness Zones: 3-9
Quick Guide to Growing Bee Balm Flowers
Here are the primary care needs for growing bee balm flowers in the garden or as potted bee balm. So, if you’re in a rush, follow these growing bee balm tips 🤗:
Please select a location for your bee balm plant: Choose a sunny location for planting bee balm as it thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Ensure well-drained soil to prevent waterlogging.
Planting: Plant bee balm seeds in the spring or early fall: space plants or seeds about 18 to 24 inches apart for proper air circulation.
Soil Preparation: Bee balm prefers slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.7.
Work organic matter into the soil, such as compost, to improve fertility.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
Water the plants at the base to avoid wetting the foliage, which can lead to mildew.
Mulching: Apply a layer of mulch around the plants to help maintain moisture and suppress weeds.
Fertilizing: Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer in the spring before new growth begins to enjoy the fragrant foliage.
Deadheading bee balm helps to encourage continuous blooming.
Provide adequate air circulation, as bee balm is susceptible to powdery mildew.
Support and Staking: Support taller varieties to prevent them from flopping over. Stake the plants if needed, especially in areas with strong winds.
Division: Divide your mature bee balm plant every 2 to 3 years to maintain vigor. This is best done in the spring or fall.
Attracting Bees and Butterflies: Bee balm is known for attracting pollinators. Plant it near vegetable, herb gardens, or other flowering plants to enhance pollination.
Bee Balm Care
Bee balm is a beautiful and fragrant plant that can add color to any flower garden. You can find them with bright pink flowers, and the best part is they are native wildflowers in North America. So, let’s get started at caring for these summer bloomers.
Soil and Water
Bee balm prefers slightly acidic soil with a pH between 6.0 and 6.7 for optimal growth. It thrives in well-drained soil and benefits from compost to retain moisture and enhance soil fertility.
Appropriate watering is also essential for the well-being of bee balm plants. While bee balm appreciates moist soil, I recommend avoiding waterlogging as it can lead to root rot.
While bee balm appreciates moist soil, I recommend avoiding waterlogging as it can lead to root rot. When watering, irrigate at the base of the plant rather than overhead watering.
Doing this will help prevent excessive wetting of the bee balm leaves to prevent powdery mildew. Whether you have potted bee balm plants or grow them in the garden, they need regular watering.
Water, especially during dry spells, supports its growth and blooming. Mulching around the plants not only helps in retaining soil moisture but also assists in regulating temperature. Also, remove any leaf debris.
How to Grow Bee Balm With the Right Light Needs
To grow healthy bee balm flowers, choose a planting site that receives full sun to shade and has well-drained soil. Providing some afternoon shade in the intense summer heat can be beneficial.
Adequate sunlight promotes robust growth and attracts native pollinators like bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, leading to a flourishing bee balm garden filled with vibrant blooms and buzzing visitors.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing your bee balm is essential to promoting vigorous growth and prolific blooming. Follow these guidelines for adequate fertilization:
Apply fertilizer in the spring before new growth begins at the start of the growing season. This helps provide essential nutrients as the plant enters its active growing phase.
Use a balanced, all-purpose fertilizer with equal or close-to-equal amounts of nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). Look for a formulation such as 10-10-10.
Follow the package instructions for the specific fertilizer you choose. A general guideline is to apply around 1 to 2 pounds of fertilizer per 100 square feet of planting area.
Sprinkle the fertilizer evenly around the base of the bee balm, keeping it a few inches away from the stems to avoid direct contact.
Water the plants thoroughly after applying fertilizer. It helps to liquefy and spread the nutrients into the soil, making them accessible to the plant’s roots.
I recommend using organic fertilizers, such as well-rotted compost or manure, which provide a slow release of nutrients and contribute to soil health.
You can apply a diluted liquid fertilizer every 4-6 weeks for an additional boost throughout the growing season. This is particularly beneficial if the plant shows signs of nutrient deficiency.
Trimming and Pruning
Proper trimming and pruning are essential to maintaining bee balm plants’ health, shape, and blooming potential. Follow these guidelines for effective trimming and pruning:
Deadheading: Regularly deadhead seed heads by removing them at the base of the stem. It helps encourage continuous blooming and prevents the plant from investing energy into seed production.
Late Spring Pruning: In late spring, around mid-June, trim back about a third of the plant’s height. It will help control the overall height and promote business.
Pruning for Air Circulation: Thin out crowded stems for good air circulation. It helps reduce the risk of fungal diseases, such as powdery mildew, which bee balm can be susceptible to.
Cutting Back After Flowering: Once the main blooming period is over, usually in late summer or early fall, consider cutting back the stems to encourage a second flush of blooms and maintain a neat appearance.
Division: Every 2 to 3 years, divide mature bee balm plants to rejuvenate them. This involves lifting the plant, dividing the root ball, and replanting the sections. This process helps manage the plant’s size and promotes healthier growth.
Pruning to Control Spread: If your bee balm spreads aggressively, especially in moist soil, consider pruning the outer edges or using physical barriers to control its growth.
Removing Diseased or Damaged Parts: Promptly remove any diseased or damaged foliage to prevent the spread of infections and maintain the plant’s overall health.
Winter Pruning: Cut back the stems to ground level in late fall or early winter after the first hard frost. This helps protect the plant’s roots during winter.
Mulching Bee Balms
Mulching can benefit bee balm plants in several ways. It helps retain soil moisture, suppresses weed growth, and regulates soil temperature. Apply some organic mulch, such as shredded leaves or bark, around the base of the plants, taking care not to cover the stems or foliage.
Mulch in the spring after the soil has warmed up and again in the fall to help protect the bee balm plant from frost. Yet, make sure not to over-mulch, as this can lead to waterlogging and root rot. A layer of 2 to 3 inches should suffice.
How to Transplant and Propagate Bee Balm Plant
Successfully propagating and transplanting bee balm allows you to expand your garden or share this vibrant perennial with others.
Propagation:
Division: Divide mature bee balm plants every 2 to 3 years in early spring or fall. Using a sharp, clean tool, lift the plant and separate the root ball into sections with healthy shoots.
Root Cuttings: Take 4 to 6-inch root cuttings in late fall or early spring. Plant these cuttings in a well-prepared seedbed or pots using a commercial potting mix, keeping the soil consistently moist until new growth appears.
Seeds: Collect seeds from mature bee balm flowers after they have dried on the plant. Sow the seeds indoors in late winter or directly in the garden in the spring. Keep the soil consistently moist until seedlings are established.
Softwood Cuttings: Softwood cuttings are taken from the tips of healthy stems in early summer. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant in a well-draining potting mix. Keep the cuttings in a humid environment until they develop roots.
Transplanting:
Timing: Transplant your bee balm in early spring or late fall when the plant is dormant or semi-dormant. This reduces stress on the plant and enhances its chances of successful establishment.
Site Selection: Choose a new planting site with well-drained soil and the proper sunlight (full sun to shade).
Preparing the Hole: Dig a hole slightly larger than the root ball of the bee balm. Incorporate organic matter into the soil to improve fertility.
Careful Removal: Gently lift the bee balm from its current location without damaging the roots. If you are dividing the plant, ensure each division has roots attached.
Planting Depth: Set the bee balm at the same depth it was previously growing. Water the plant thoroughly after transplanting to help it settle into its new location.
Mulching: Apply a thin layer of mulch around your transplanted bee balm to retain moisture and regulate soil temperature.
Watering: Keep the soil consistently moist in the weeks following transplanting to support root establishment.
Overwintering Bee Balms
Overwintering bee balm plants is crucial for their survival in colder climates. Trim the plants to a few inches above the ground as fall approaches, removing dead foliage.
Apply a layer of mulch around the base to insulate the roots in cold regions.
Consider additional protective coverings. Regularly check soil moisture during winter to ensure proper hydration. Cut back any dead growth in spring to promote new, healthy shoots.
The winter care regimen safeguards bee balm, ensuring vibrant blooms when warmer temperatures return.
Pests and Diseases
Like most plants, the bee balm is susceptible to fungal diseases and pests.
Pests:
Aphids
Spider mites
Whiteflies
Japanese beetles
Thrips
Fungal Disease:
Powdery mildew
Downy mildew
Rust
Botrytis blight
Root rot
Regularly inspect plants, encourage good air circulation, and maintain proper spacing to prevent infestations and infections.
Apply neem oil or insecticidal soap for pest control and fungicides for diseases. Follow recommended guidelines—water at the base to prevent leaf wetting and promptly remove any affected plant parts.
Frequently Asked Questions
Yes, bee balm is a perennial plant, which means it comes back year after year. It typically dies back in the winter and then regrows in the spring.
Bee balm is a sun-loving plant that requires at least six hours of direct sunlight each day to thrive. It also prefers well-draining soil that is kept consistently moist.
With these requirements in mind, the best place to plant bee balm would be in a sunny location with well-draining soil that is watered frequently to maintain consistent moisture levels.
Additionally, bee balm is an excellent choice for attracting native pollinators to your garden, so planting it near other flowers and plants can be beneficial.
Planting bee balm (Monarda) is a beautiful addition to your garden, providing numerous benefits, such as attracting pollinators like bees and butterflies. Nonetheless, there are some considerations to keep in mind:
Invasive Potential: Some varieties of bee balm can be aggressive and spread rapidly as they belong to the mint family. To control this, choose clump-forming varieties and monitor their growth to prevent them from taking over other plants.
Mildew Susceptibility: Bee balm is prone to powdery mildew, especially in humid conditions. Select mildew-resistant varieties and provide adequate spacing for air circulation to minimize this issue.
One way to keep bee balm blooming all summer is to deadhead it regularly. This means removing the spent blooms as soon as they start to fade.
It helps encourage the plant to produce new flowers and helps extend the blooming period.
Additionally, bee balm prefers moist, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Providing the right growing conditions can also help keep it blooming all summer.
Bee balm, known as Monarda, typically does not require a trellis as it is a self-supporting plant.
Yet, suppose you are growing a taller variety like ‘Jacob Cline,’ ‘Marshall’s Delight,’ ‘Raspberry Wine,’ and ‘Violet Queen’ or wish to provide additional support. In that case, you can use a small trellis or stake to prevent the stems from bending or breaking under the weight of the flowers.
It’s essential to choose a sturdy trellis to withstand wind and rain and to secure the stems loosely to the trellis using garden twine or soft plant ties to avoid damaging the plant.
Bee balm typically blooms in its second year of growth. Yet, it’s common for some varieties to bloom in their first year. It depends on the specific type of bee balm and the growing conditions.
Whether you want to buy, sell, or reach out to other plant enthusiasts, Plantly is the right place to be!
