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Monarda citriodora - Cerv. ex Lag.

Common Name Lemon Bergamot, Lemon beebalm. Lemon Mint
Family Lamiaceae or Labiatae
USDA hardiness 5-9
Known Hazards None known
Habitats Limestone barrens and slopes[43]. Prairies, savannahs and roadsides in Texas[274].
Range Central and Southern N. America to Mexico.
Edibility Rating    (2 of 5)
Other Uses    (3 of 5)
Weed Potential No
Medicinal Rating    (0 of 5)
Care (info)
Fully Hardy Moist Soil Semi-shade Full sun
Monarda citriodora Lemon Bergamot, Lemon beebalm. Lemon Mint


www.flickr.com/photos/dawilson
Monarda citriodora Lemon Bergamot, Lemon beebalm. Lemon Mint
www.flickr.com/photos/matthigh

 

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Summary

Bloom Color: Pink. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.


Physical Characteristics

 icon of manicon of flower
Monarda citriodora is a ANNUAL/PERENNIAL growing to 0.6 m (2ft) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from July to August. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Bees. The plant is self-fertile.
It is noted for attracting wildlife.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It can grow in semi-shade (light woodland) or no shade. It prefers moist soil.

UK Hardiness Map US Hardiness Map

Synonyms

Plant Habitats

 Cultivated Beds;

Edible Uses

Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Condiment  Tea

Leaves - raw or cooked. They are used as a flavouring in salads and cooked foods[46, 105, 161, K] and also as a tea[183]. They have a pleasant lemon flavour[238].

References   More on Edible Uses

Medicinal Uses

Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.


None known

References   More on Medicinal Uses

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Other Uses

Essential  Repellent

An essential oil in the leaves contains a phenol and a citral[4]. No more information is given, though the oil is likely to have medicinal activity and perhaps be suitable for perfumery etc[K]. The essential oil citronellal, used as an insect repellent and in perfumery, is obtained from this plant[274].

Special Uses

Attracts Wildlife  Scented Plants

References   More on Other Uses

Cultivation details

Landscape Uses:Border, Massing, Specimen. An easily grown plant, succeeding in ordinary garden soil so long as it is not too dry[1]. Requires a moist soil and a sunny position[1, 200]. Likes some shade. Prefers a sandy rather acidic soil[200]. This species is closely related to M. pectinata[235]. Said to be a perennial in some books and an annual in others, it has acted as an annual with us so far[K]. A good bee plant[200]. Subject to mildew in dry summers[200]. Special Features: Attracts birds, North American native, Edible, Fragrant foliage, Attracts butterflies.

References   Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information

Temperature Converter

Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:

Fahrenheit:

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Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees,Edible Shrubs, Woodland Gardening, and Temperate Food Forest Plants. Our new book is Food Forest Plants For Hotter Conditions (Tropical and Sub-Tropical).

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Plant Propagation

Seed - sow mid to late spring in a cold frame. Germination usually takes place within 10 - 40 days at 20°c. When large enough to handle, prick the seedlings out into individual pots and plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer. The seed can also be sown in situ in late summer in areas where the winters are not too severe and will produce larger plants. Cuttings of soft basal shoots in spring. Harvest the shoots with plenty of underground stem when they are about 8 - 10cm above the ground. Pot them up into individual pots and keep them in light shade in a cold frame or greenhouse until they are rooting well. Plant them out in the summer. Division in spring or autumn.

Other Names

If available other names are mentioned here

Native Range

NORTHERN AMERICA: United States (Kansas, Missouri (west), Oklahoma, Arkansas, New Mexico, Texas, Arizona (southeast)), Mexico (Chihuahua, Coahuila de Zaragoza, Durango, Nuevo León, Sinaloa, Sonora (east), Tamaulipas, Michoacán de Ocampo)

Weed Potential

Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section. Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.

Conservation Status

IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :

Related Plants
Latin NameCommon NameHabitHeightHardinessGrowthSoilShadeMoistureEdibleMedicinalOther
Monarda clinopodiaWhite Basil-Balm, White bergamotPerennial1.3 4-8  LMHSNM10 
Monarda didymaBergamot, Scarlet beebalm, Horsemint, Oswego Tea, Bee BalmPerennial0.9 4-10 MLMHSNM323
Monarda fistulosaWild Bergamot, Mintleaf bergamot, Wild Bee-Balm, LupinePerennial1.5 4-10 MLMHNDM322
Monarda menthifoliaMint-Leaved Bergamot, Mintleaf bergamotPerennial0.8 3-7  LMHSNM12 
Monarda pectinataPlains Lemon Monarda, Pony beebalmAnnual/Perennial1.0 0-0  LMHNDM120
Monarda punctataHorse Mint, Spotted beebalmAnnual/Perennial0.8 5-9  LMHSNDM131

Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.

 

Expert comment

Author

Cerv. ex Lag.

Botanical References

43200

Links / References

For a list of references used on this page please go here

Readers comment

A potted Monarda citriodora flowering on a Tel Aviv metropolitan area balcony.   May 24 2012 12:00AM

Monarda citriodora was not known until now to the Israeli gardening community, but when I was offered a small quantity of seeds in a seed barter last Winter, I immediately accepted after seeing photos of this plant on the Web. Germination was rather quick in early Spring, and initial growth was rapid too. Now, ~3 months later, the plants are developing their impressive flowering spikes. There is absolutely nothing lemony about these plants. The leaves have no fragrance when whole, but their taste is exceedingly pungent, with overtones of Thymol and rather reminiscent of Ajowan seeds! My gut feeling is that this Texan weed is going to achieve easy popularity around here, and may elicit R&D interest on behalf of the cut flower market.
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