Bee Balm
Monarda didyma
Semidouble blooms in shades of lavender, salmon, magenta, and pale to bright pinks are useful as cut and edible flowers. Additionally, monarda attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds to the garden. Also known as beebalm, Oswego tea, and scarlet beebalm. Medicinal: Aerial parts in infusions to improve digestion. Leaves and blooms contain thymol-related antibiotic-antiseptic compounds. Perennial in Zones 4-9. Edible Flowers: Add petals to salads, sprinkle over mild fish, use in fruit salads, or to garnish desserts and drinks. Flavor is minty and spicy.
Harvest
300-365d
Days to harvest
Sun
Full sun to partial shade
Zones
4–9
USDA hardiness
Height
2-4 feet
Planting Timeline
Showing dates for Bee Balm in USDA Zone 7
All Zone 7 native-wildflower →Zone Map
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Bee Balm · Zones 4–9
Growing Details
Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar
Complete Growing Guide
Soil: Clay, High Organic Matter. Soil pH: Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist, Occasionally Wet. Water: Vegetable, Herb and Mostly Native Pollinator Garden Davidson County Extension Demonstration Garden Bird-Friendly Spaces Vegetable Garden with Pollinator Plants in Mt. Pleasant Pollinator Garden in Full Sun Pollinator Garden in Partial Shade Herb & Flower Cottage Garden Beehive Garden, Wake Co West Side Foundation Planting in Cabarrus County Border Landscape Pinewild County Club, Moore County. Height: 2 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium. Propagation: Division, Leaf Cutting, Seed. Regions: Coastal, Mountains, Piedmont.
Harvesting
Ovoid nutlets display from September to October.
Color: Brown/Copper. Type: Capsule.
Harvest time: Fall
Bloom time: Fall, Summer
Edibility: Used in teas, flavor jellies, soups, stews, and fruit salads; edible flowers.
History & Origin
Origin: Eastern North America
Advantages
- +Disease resistance: Vegetable, Herb and Mostly Native Pollinator Garden Davidson County Extension Demonstration Garden Bird-Friendly Spaces Vegetable Garden with Pollinator Plants in Mt. Pleasant Pollinator Garden in Full Sun Pollinator Garden in Partial Shade Herb & Flower Cottage Garden Beehive Garden, Wake Co West Side Foundation Planting in Cabarrus County Border Landscape Pinewild County Club, Moore County
- +Attracts: Attracts Pollinators, Colorful, Fragrance, Wildlife Food Source
- +Wildlife value: Attracts bumblebees, swallowtail butterflies, and Ruby-throated hummingbirds. It is a larval host to the hermit sphinx, orange mint moth, and the raspberry pyrausta. Members of the genus Monarda support the following specialized bees: Dufourea monardae, Perdita (Perdita) gerhardi, and Protandrena abdominalis. Dead stems are used by stem-nesting bees.
- +Edible: Used in teas, flavor jellies, soups, stews, and fruit salads; edible flowers.
Companion Plants
Plant Together
Echinacea (Purple Coneflower)
Similar growing conditions and bloom times, attracts beneficial pollinators together
Black-Eyed Susan
Complementary bloom periods extend pollinator season, both thrive in similar soil conditions
Wild Bergamot
Same plant family with similar care needs, creates dense pollinator habitat
Yarrow
Attracts beneficial insects that prey on bee balm pests, improves soil health
Native Asters
Extends late-season blooms for pollinators, similar moisture and sun requirements
Joe Pye Weed
Both attract butterflies and beneficial insects, tolerate similar moisture levels
Wild Ginger
Provides ground cover and retains moisture for bee balm's shallow roots
Catmint
Repels ants and rodents that may damage bee balm, attracts pollinators
Keep Apart
Black Walnut
Produces juglone toxin that inhibits growth and can kill bee balm
Mint
Extremely aggressive spreader that will outcompete and crowd out bee balm
Fennel
Allelopathic compounds inhibit growth of most garden plants including bee balm
Pests & Disease Resistance
Resistance
Susceptible to powdery mildew, especially in humid conditions with poor air circulation
Common Pests
Aphids, spider mites, stalk borers
Diseases
Powdery mildew, rust, root rot