Lemon Beebalm

Common Names

Lemon Mint, Lemon Beebalm, Bergamot, Horsemint, Purple Horsemint, Plains Horsemint, Lemon Bergamot, Lemon Horsemint, Purple Lemon Mint, Beebalm

Summary

Monarda citriodora, commonly called Lemon Mint, Lemon Beebalm, bergamot, lemon horsemint, plains horsemint, or purple horsemint, is a member of the Lamiaceae native to the southern United States and northern Mexico. It is a short-lived perennial often grown as an annual or biennial, typically 0.5–1 m tall with narrow lance-shaped leaves that smell lemon when crushed, and bearing scented two-lipped tubular flowers in lavender to pink (sometimes white) atop purplish bracts. The flowers are arranged in tiered, globular clusters around the stem and attract pollinators such as bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds; the foliage is aromatic and leaves can be used in teas and flavoring.

In cultivation, Lemon Mint prefers full sun to part shade and well-drained soil, tolerates a range of soils including sandy, loam, and clay, and is easy to grow, often self-seeding to form large colonies. It is short-lived but can persist as an annual or biennial; regular watering can extend bloom into fall, and deadheading followed by cutting stems back after flowering promotes additional flowering. Propagation is by seeds or division. It is commonly used in ornamental plantings, cottage and native plant areas, prairies, and meadows, and its lemon-scented foliage and flowers attract pollinators; leaves are edible and can flavor teas and culinary dishes. It is hardy in zones 2–11.

Lifecycle

Annual

Height

24-36 inches

Spread

9-12 inches

Hardiness Zones

Zones 2-11

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full Sun, tolerates Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Well-drained, moist soil

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

All pH levels (acid, neutral, or alkaline)

Bloom Color

Purple

Bloom Time

Spring to Summer

Foliage Color

Green (upper leaf surface pale to medium green; lower surface pale green)

Fall Foliage Color

Green

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Division, Stem cuttings

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, Attracts hummingbirds, Attracts butterflies, Attracts other pollinators, Attracts birds