25 Lemon Bee Balm Seeds – Fragrant Pollinator Plant for Gardens

Lemon Bee Balm (Monarda citriodora) is an annual wildflower known for its fragrant, lemon-scented foliage and distinctive whorls of tubular flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. This easy-to-grow pollinator plant adds a bright, airy texture to flower borders, herb gardens, and meadow plantings, and its aromatic leaves can be used fresh or dried for teas and potpourri.

Native to parts of North America, Lemon Bee Balm thrives in full sun and well-drained soil, tolerating heat and dry conditions once established. Its tiered clusters of pale lavender to pinkish flowers bloom through summer, providing weeks of color and nectar for beneficial insects. Whether you are creating a pollinator-friendly garden or looking for a low-maintenance annual with a pleasant citrus scent, Lemon Bee Balm is a rewarding choice.

Plant Features

• Fragrant, lemon-scented foliage
• Whorled clusters of tubular flowers in shades of lavender and pink
• Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds
• Annual wildflower that blooms in its first year from seed
• Drought-tolerant once established

Growing Information

• Botanical Name: Monarda citriodora
• Plant Type: Annual
• Sunlight: Full sun
• Soil: Well-drained, sandy or loamy soil
• Water Requirements: Moderate; allow soil to dry slightly between waterings
• Bloom Season: Summer
• Mature Height: 12–24 inches
• Spacing: 12–18 inches apart

Planting & Care

Sow Lemon Bee Balm seeds indoors 6–8 weeks before the last frost or directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed. Press seeds lightly into the soil surface; they need light to germinate. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged until seedlings emerge, which typically takes 10–20 days at 65–70°F. Once seedlings have a few sets of true leaves, thin or transplant them to their final spacing.

Choose a sunny location with well-drained soil. Water regularly during the first growing season to help plants establish, then reduce watering as they become more drought-tolerant. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continued blooming, or allow some flowers to go to seed for self-sowing and to feed birds. Lemon Bee Balm is generally pest-free and deer-resistant, making it a low-maintenance addition to pollinator gardens and wildflower meadows.

What's Included

25 Lemon Bee Balm seeds.