Plants

lemon balm

Melissa officinalis L.

Family: Lamiaceae · Genus: Melissa

melissa

Placenta I Low No biomass production 🪓 Coppices after cutting

lemon balm — Cbaile19 · Public domain · iNaturalist

Perennial herb (40–80 cm), light-green strongly lemon-scented leaves. Tolerates partial shade — fills shaded niches where rosemary and thyme don't thrive. Spreads via stolons; edge management recommended.

Götsch succession

Götsch stage: Placenta I
Ecological role: Pioneer
Primary stratum: Low
Strata: Low, Ground cover
Biomass class: No biomass production

Environment

Light requirement: Partial shade
Water requirement: Moderate
Drought tolerance: Low
Soil pH range: 5.5–7.5
Preferred soil texture: Loamy, Clayey
Hardiness zones: 4–10
Frost tolerance: -20.0 °C

Morphology

Mature height: 0.4–0.8 m
Recommended spacing: 0.4–0.6 m
Root system: Fibrous
Root depth: Shallow
Growth rate: Fast
Lifespan: 3–7 years

Biomes & climate

Atlantic Forest Suitable
Cerrado Suitable
Pampa Suitable

Köppen classes

Hot-summer Mediterranean (Csa) Suitable
Warm-summer Mediterranean (Csb) Suitable
Humid subtropical (Cfa) Suitable
Oceanic (Cfb) Suitable
Subtropical with dry winter (Cwa) Suitable
Subtropical highland (Cwb) Suitable

Where it fits in a guild

Lemon balm takes the Low stratum in the Placenta I phase of succession — in a guild it shares the line with species from the other strata, each harvesting light at its own height, in its own time.

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🪴 Cultivation

A hardy perennial herb (zones 4–8) that, unlike the other Mediterranean species, prefers partial shade and moister soil — filling shaded niches. Loam-to-clay well-drained soil at pH ~5.5–7.5. Once established it tolerates some drought. Propagated by seed, division or cutting. Spreads by stolons — use edge containment.

✂️ Management & Pruning

Resprouts vigorously after cutting to the ground; cutting back once or twice a season renews foliage and delays flowering/self-seeding. Cut after flowering to curb volunteer spread.

📅 Phenology

Flowering months: October, November, December, January, February

❓ Frequently asked questions

What spacing is recommended for lemon balm?

The recommended spacing for lemon balm is 0.4–0.6 m.

How tall does lemon balm grow?

At maturity, lemon balm reaches 0.4–0.8 m tall.

When does lemon balm flower?

Flowering of lemon balm occurs in October, November, December, January, February.

What stage and stratum does lemon balm occupy in a syntropic system?

In a syntropic system, lemon balm belongs to the placenta i stage, occupying the low stratum.

Functions

Aromatic Medicinal 🍯 Melliferous 🐝 Attracts pollinators

Propagation

Seed, Division, Cutting

Citations

Plants For A Future (PFAF) — Melissa officinalis (height_max_m, soil_texture_preference, light_need, water_need, drought_tolerance, root_system, root_depth, propagation, hardiness_zone_min, hardiness_zone_max)