About Bee Balm
Renowned for its beauty and fragrance, Bee Balm, also known as Wild Bergamot, holds a cherished place as an old flower garden favorite. Did you know that Bee Balm is among the best attractors of beneficial butterflies, hummingbirds, and bees? In sum, Bee Balm is a "must" for any garden.
When to Plant Bee Balm Seeds
Plant Bee Balm seeds in the spring or early fall. For spring planting, start seeds indoors in late winter.
Where to Plant Bee Balm Seeds
Bee Balm thrives in full sun or partial shade and prefers dry to medium moisture, well-drained soil. It's not picky about soil type, tolerating poor soils, and is heat and drought tolerant.
How to Plant Bee Balm Seeds
Bee Balm seeds require light for germination, so avoid covering them when planting. Learn more about germination light requirements here.
Sow Bee Balm seeds in small pots, apply a starter fertilizer solution, and water. After initial watering, only water when the soil surface is dry to the touch. Pinch off the tops of the plants several times during the growing season to encourage branching and bushier growth. When the roots fill the container, about 2 months after sowing, they are ready to be transplanted into your garden. Direct sow or transplant seedlings into a sunny, weed-free soil, spacing plants 20-30" apart. Irrigate regularly to keep the soil moist until germination.
How to Care for Bee Balm
To prevent powdery mildew, thin out large clumps to improve air circulation around your Bee Balm plants. Deadhead them regularly to prolong the bloom time.
