{"product_id":"melissa-officinalis-lemon-balm-uk-grown","title":"Melissa officinalis - Lemon Balm - UK Grown","description":"\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003eThis fragrant perennial herb produces bright green, softly textured leaves with a refreshing lemon scent when crushed. \u003ci\u003eMelissa officinalis\u003c\/i\u003e is a long-loved cottage garden and herb garden favourite, valued for its culinary uses, calming herbal teas, and wildlife-friendly flowers. In summer, small white blooms appear above the foliage, attracting bees and other pollinators to the garden.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p1\"\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eMelissa officinalis\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e, commonly known as Lemon Balm, is an easy-going and productive herb that grows quickly in sunny or partially shaded gardens. Its fresh citrus aroma makes it popular in teas, salads, and herbal remedies, while its bushy growth habit makes it a useful filler plant for herb beds, borders, and wildlife gardens.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePerennial\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eAromatic Herb, Pollinator-Friendly, Fast-Growing\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFlowers:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Early to late summer\u003cbr\u003e\u003cspan class=\"s1\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFoliage:\u003c\/b\u003e\u003c\/span\u003e Spring through autumn\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eScientific Name\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003e\u003ci\u003eMelissa officinalis\u003c\/i\u003e (from the Greek \u003ci\u003emelissa\u003c\/i\u003e, meaning “honey bee”, referencing the plant’s strong attraction to bees)\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eCommon Name\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eLemon Balm, Balm Mint\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eOrigin\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eNative to southern Europe, North Africa, and western Asia, and widely naturalised across Europe and the UK.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePruning Tips\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eCut plants back after flowering to encourage fresh growth and prevent them becoming leggy. Regular harvesting of leaves also helps maintain a bushy shape.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWildlife Value\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eA highly valuable plant for pollinators, especially bees and hoverflies, which are strongly attracted to its nectar-rich flowers.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePositioning\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eGrows best in full sun to partial shade. Suitable for herb gardens, borders, containers, or wildlife-friendly planting schemes.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eWater\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eWater regularly while establishing. Once mature, lemon balm is relatively tolerant of short dry periods but prefers evenly moist soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSoil\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eThrives in fertile, well-draining soil but is adaptable to a wide range of soil types.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eFood\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eApply compost or a balanced fertiliser in spring to encourage lush leaf growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003ePet-safe\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eGenerally considered non-toxic to pets.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp class=\"p3\"\u003e\u003cb\u003eSprouts Top Tips\u003cbr\u003e\u003c\/b\u003eLemon balm can spread readily in the garden, so harvesting regularly and trimming after flowering will help keep plants compact and prevent self-seeding.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Sprouts of Bristol","offers":[{"title":"9cm","offer_id":57922841280893,"sku":"2311030043771","price":2.5,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false},{"title":"13cm","offer_id":57922841313661,"sku":"4311030043771","price":8.0,"currency_code":"GBP","in_stock":false}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0490\/2774\/3905\/files\/IMG-4720.heic?v=1774880649","url":"https:\/\/sproutsofbristol.co.uk\/es\/products\/melissa-officinalis-lemon-balm-uk-grown","provider":"Sprouts of Bristol","version":"1.0","type":"link"}