Lemon Balm is a Pretty and Functional Houseplant
By Dr. Ann
@drannhh (15219)
United States
February 27, 2016 1:10am CST
Some plants that might look rather straggly on a window sill really flourish in today's electronic indoor planters. This is Melissa officinalis, commonly known as lemon balm and like lemongrass and lemon verbena, it has a lovely lemon-like scent. I like to add a few lemon balm leaves to my ice water as they look pretty in the glass and also give the water a subtle minty lemon flavor. A few tender young leaves from this plant can also make a nice addition to salads.
Tea made from lemon balm leaves is said to improve cognitive function, aid sleep, and provide a host of other helpful functions. My lemon balm is thriving in the new space saving AeroGarden 3SL which, with its bright grow lights, makes an adorable lamp.
I love AeroGardening and am very glad that the Miracle Grow company bought them out.
16 people like this
16 responses
@allknowing (130064)
• India
11 Mar 16
I have a plant that also has leaves that smell like lemon. I am not sure if that can be used the way you are using your lemon balm plant.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
13 Mar 16
What a cool looking plant, @allknowing Are the jagged tips along the edge of the leaves sharp like thorns?
1 person likes this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
27 Apr 17
It is a great plant for tea.. have to buy it when I go to our grocery store - they have some organic spices and I have seen Lemonbalm there too.. Thanks for reminding!
1 person likes this
@buenavida (9985)
• Sweden
27 Apr 17
@drannhh I can buy them here as plants.. they sell them in small pots with soil, and we can plant them in bigger pots, and hopefully they grow more and last longer.. 
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
27 Apr 17
@buenavida I see a lot of lemongrass tea in the markets, but not sure I ever saw lemon balm, although when I have a plant I use it fresh.
1 person likes this
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
26 Apr 17
Those plants look amazingly healthy and leafy. I'll have to look into that plant grower.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
26 Apr 17
I love growing plants in water, @1hopefulman
1 person likes this
@PatZAnthony (14752)
• Charlotte, North Carolina
7 May 16
It seems like something that might be fun to grow too. Might give it a try!
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
7 May 16
@PatZAnthony It is not the easiest herb to keep lush, but lovely when one does.
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
29 Feb 16
Lemon balm is ayurvedic herb in the mint family. You might know it by another name. AeroGarden is a brand name for a computerized planter that controls light, water, and nutrients for indoor plants so that they grow up to 5 times faster @shshiju
1 person likes this
@bunnybon7 (50973)
• Holiday, Florida
7 Mar 16
very nice. I love lemon things and smell but unfortunately if I consume it these days it don't like me any more
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@drannhh (15219)
• United States
8 Mar 16
That is the magic of lemon balm @bunnybon7 as you can smell the leaves but you don't have to eat them.
@1hopefulman (45123)
• Canada
28 Feb 16
I used to have one of those plants but not sure which. I might get one again if I can find one as it grew very well inside my apartment.
1 person likes this
@BelleStarr (61047)
• United States
28 Feb 16
I have never tried to grow lemon balm but it seems to have great properties.
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@LeaPea2417 (36460)
• Toccoa, Georgia
11 Mar 16
I will have to try and grow that this season.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
13 Mar 16
@LeaPea2417 I would love to hear how that goes.
1 person likes this
@crazyhorseladycx (39515)
• United States
25 Mar 16
i've been debatin''s to whether to purchase me one'f those. still aint decided, lol. too many other thingies 'f more importance. i'm delighted that the lemon balm i o'erwintered's done quite well 'n e'en those i left outdoors 're comin' back out. i reckon there's a bonus to 'avin' a purty mild winter. 'twas amazed't the herbs though that survived the 2 day blizzard. e'en the parsley's makin' its way outta the soil.
i love all my herbs, usin' 'em most daily 'n e'en jest brushin' 'gainst 'em to release those wonderful scents.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
26 Mar 16
This is the first time I ever grew parsley @crazyhorseladycx as it is easily available in stores for cheap, but like everything else it does well in the AeroGarden and being able to nibble on the tender young leaves at will was just too irresistible.
1 person likes this
@MarshaMusselman (38663)
• Midland, Michigan
1 Mar 16
I didn't know that Miracle grow branched out in this way. I may have to look this up sometime although I really don't have room right now in my house for something like that. Or, at least not until I have my paperwork organized and filed away appropriately.
The plants growing there are lovely and vibrant.
1 person likes this
@drannhh (15219)
• United States
2 Mar 16
Only the roots are hanging... in air and water. The name comes from aeration. These hydroponic (soil free) planters have a pump that circulates air through the water which contains liquid nutrients. A very bright lamp hangs over the plants and there are timers and sensors that turn the lamp on and off and indicate when water and nutrients need to be added.
@Marilynda1225 (79784)
• United States
13 Mar 16
I would love having the fresh smell of lemon in my kitchen
1 person likes this
