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Summary
Lemon beebalm is an aromatic annual wildflower native to the southern and central United States and northern Mexico. It is particularly characteristic of the southern Great Plains, although populations also occur in the deserts, grasslands, mesas, and mountain meadows of the American Southwest. The plant produces upright stems, narrow leaves, and distinctive tiers of white, pink, or lavender flowers surrounded by colorful bracts. These flowering clusters give lemon beebalm an attractive appearance and make it useful in pollinator gardens. Like many members of the mint family, lemon beebalm contains strongly aromatic compounds that become noticeable when you crush the leaves or flowers. The leaves and flowers are edible in small culinary quantities and can be used as seasonings, herbal infusions, or cooked greens. Their fresh flavor is intensely spicy, with minty, citrus-like notes. The fresh leaves and flowers are extremely spicy but without unpleasant acrid, bitter, soapy, resinous, or latex-like flavors. Cooking substantially reduces their intensity, producing a much milder vegetable and cooking liquid. The flowers are particularly suitable for making aromatic herbal infusions. Both hot flower tea and a chilled infusion served over ice with lemon are exceptionally pleasant. Lemon beebalm is easy to gather where abundant and is available from late spring through early autumn. However, its powerful aromatic constituents make it more appropriate as a seasoning or occasional herbal tea than as a vegetable eaten regularly in large quantities. Bloom Color: Pink. Main Bloom Time: Early summer, Late spring, Mid summer. Form: Upright or erect.
Physical Characteristics
Monarda citriodora is a ANNUAL growing to 0.9 m (3ft) by 0.4 m (1ft 4in) at a fast rate.
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 6. It is in flower from May to September. 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) and medium (loamy) soils and can grow in nutritionally poor soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil and can tolerate drought.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Monarda citriodora var. austromontana (Epling) B.L.Turner. Monarda citriodora var. citriodora. Monarda citriodora var. parva Scora
Plant Habitats
Cultivated Beds;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves
Edible Uses: Condiment Tea
Lemon beebalm is a valuable aromatic herb with attractive flowers and considerable ecological value. Its leaves and flowers have a powerful, spicy flavor that makes them useful as seasonings. The flowers are particularly suitable for herbal infusions, excellent both hot and chilled [2-3]. Cooking substantially reduces the intensity of the foliage, allowing occasional use as a potherb. However, the plant is better suited to flavoring foods than providing substantial quantities of leafy vegetables [2-3]. Edible parts: Leaves and flowers [2-3]. You can use the leaves and flowers fresh, cooked, or dried. Their principal value is as a flavoring rather than as a substantial food source. Fresh leaves have a powerful, spicy flavor, often accompanied by minty or citrus-like notes. The flowers have similar aromatic qualities and are particularly well suited to herbal infusions. Boiling considerably reduces the spicy character of both leaves and flowers [2-3]. The cooked foliage can therefore be used as a potherb, although its flavor is stronger than that of ordinary leafy vegetables. The cooking liquid is relatively mild and may be consumed as an herbal infusion where the plant has been correctly identified and prepared using ordinary culinary quantities. The seeds, roots, and stems are not established as edible [2-3]. Caution: Lemon beebalm contains concentrated aromatic compounds; Use it moderately in cooking, and do not treat concentrated essential oils we warn against regularly consuming meal-sized quantities. Culinary use should be moderate, and concentrated essential oils should not be treated as equivalent to the edible leaves and flowers. Edibility Rating: 3 out of 5 – Good culinary herb and herbal tea plant [2-3]. Lemon beebalm has considerable culinary value because of its strongly aromatic leaves and flowers. Its flavor can season foods, and the flowers make an especially pleasant herbal infusion. The plant is relatively easy to gather where abundant, and its edible parts can be used fresh or dried. However, its intense flavor limits the quantities normally desirable in food. The caution against frequent large servings further reduces its value as a substantial vegetable. A rating of 3/5 reflects its usefulness as a seasoning and tea plant rather than as a staple food [2-3]. Taste and Preparation: Lemon beebalm has a powerful, spicy flavor with minty and citrus-like characteristics. The fresh leaves and flowers are extremely spicy, but without unpleasant acrid or bitter notes. Fresh Leaves: Use fresh leaves in small quantities to season foods. Their flavor is sufficiently intense that only modest amounts are generally required. Finely chopped leaves may be added to salads, vegetable dishes, or other foods where a strong aromatic accent is desirable. Cooked Leaves: Boiling substantially reduces the strong flavor. The cooked leaves are suitable for use as potherbs. The resulting flavor is considerably milder, with much of the minty character removed. Although the leaves can be cooked as a vegetable, they are better used as an occasional addition to mixed greens than as a main vegetable. Flowers: The flowers are edible and strongly aromatic. Use them in small quantities as a garnish or flavoring. Their most appealing culinary use is in herbal infusions [2-3]. Hot Herbal Tea: Steep the flowers in hot water to make a pleasant, aromatic infusion. Flower tea is particularly enjoyable. The flavor is less intense than that of the fresh flowers. Cold Herbal Infusion: A chilled infusion made from the flowers is another attractive preparation. Serve it over ice with a slice of lemon. This provides a refreshing way to appreciate the plant's aromatic qualities without eating substantial quantities of foliage. Dried Seasoning: You can dry the leaves and flowers for later culinary use. Drying allows the aromatic material to be stored and used in small quantities to flavor soups, stews, and other dishes. The intensity of the dried material may vary with storage conditions and age. Seasonality: Lemon beebalm is generally a warm-season annual. In the American Southwest, the PFAF field notes describe flowering from May to September, particularly for var. austromontana. Flowering depends on temperature, elevation, and rainfall. Plants may germinate following spring or summer rainfall and develop rapidly when moisture is available. People can gather leaves before and during flowering, while flowers are available during the blooming period [2-3]. The plant completes its life cycle within a single growing season and reproduces by seed. Traditional Uses: Beebalms have a long history of culinary and medicinal use among Indigenous communities of North America. Their primary traditional culinary role is as seasonings rather than vegetables eaten in large quantities [2-3]. People valued the aromatic leaves and flowers for their strong flavor, and they could use them to season foods or prepare infusions. We did not identify a particular Indigenous community or preparation specifically associated with Monarda citriodora. Lemon beebalm is also widely grown as an ornamental plant because of its attractive flowers and value to pollinating insects. Safety: Lemon beebalm leaves and flowers have a history of culinary use, particularly as seasonings and herbal infusions. However, their strong aroma indicates the presence of biologically active volatile compounds. Large Quantities: Regularly consuming meal-sized quantities may be unhealthful [2-3]. The plant should therefore be used primarily as a seasoning or occasional herbal infusion rather than as a substantial vegetable. Essential Oils: Concentrated essential oils are not equivalent to ordinary culinary preparations. Essential oils can contain much higher concentrations of potentially irritating or toxic constituents. Do not ingest them simply because the leaves or flowers have culinary uses. Pregnancy and Medical Conditions: Detailed human safety studies specifically establishing appropriate consumption levels for Monarda citriodora are limited. Pregnant or breastfeeding people, and those with relevant medical conditions or taking medication, should avoid medicinal or concentrated preparations unless advised by an appropriately qualified healthcare professional. Allergic Reactions: Individual sensitivity to aromatic plants is possible. Anyone experiencing irritation or an adverse reaction should discontinue use. Correct Identification: Several Monarda species have similar flowers and aromatic foliage. Correct identification matters, especially where different species or varieties grow together [2-3]. 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.
Monarda citriodora has a long history of traditional and herbal medicinal use, largely because of its high content of active compounds like thymol, citral, and carvacrol. Traditional and Herbal Medicinal Uses: Respiratory Support: Steeped as a warm tea or inhaled as a steam, the leaves and flowers have been traditionally used to help ease symptoms of colds, flus, sore throats, coughs, and minor bronchial congestion. Digestive Relief: Consumed as a mild herbal infusion, it has been used to help soothe indigestion, gas (flatulence), stomach discomfort, and nausea. Antimicrobial & Antifungal Properties: Because it is rich in thymol—a natural antiseptic—the fresh crushed leaves, poultices, or essential oils have been applied topically to minor cuts, skin irritations, insect bites, or fungal concerns. Menstrual & Traditional Remedies: In some traditional herbal practices, it has been utilized to help address menstrual irregularities or digestive sluggishness. Aromatherapy & Insect Repellent: The volatile essential oils (containing citronella-like and minty-citrus notes) have been used in steams, facial toners for oily or acne-prone skin, and rubbed on the skin to help deter fleas, mites, and other insects
References More on Medicinal Uses
Other Uses
Essential Repellent
Landscape Uses: Border, Massing, Specimen. Lemon beebalm is an attractive annual for herb gardens, wildflower meadows, prairie plantings, and pollinator gardens. The plant is particularly suitable for relatively dry gardens and naturalistic plantings. Lemon beebalm can be grown in containers, provided drainage is adequate. Lemon beebalm is valuable to pollinating insects. Its tubular flowers provide nectar and attract bees, butterflies, and other flower-visiting insects. The tiered flower heads offer numerous individual flowers over the blooming period. Hummingbirds may also visit the flowers within parts of the plant's native range. The plant contributes to the floral diversity of native grasslands and wildflower meadows. Its aromatic foliage may be less attractive to some grazing animals, although this should not be treated as a guarantee of resistance to herbivory. 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
Lemon beebalm grows best in full sun and well-drained sandy, gravelly, or loamy soils. It is particularly adapted to open grasslands, plains, mesas, and other relatively dry habitats. The plant tolerates poor soils and can grow successfully where competition from taller vegetation is limited. It requires adequate moisture for germination and early establishment but becomes relatively drought tolerant as it matures. In cultivation, avoid excessive watering and persistently wet soils. The species generally performs best in warm conditions with plenty of sunlight. Habitat: Lemon beebalm is native to the southern Great Plains and surrounding regions of North America. It occurs in open grasslands, prairies, roadsides, mesas, and disturbed ground. We distinguish populations of the southern Great Plains from var. austromontana, which occurs in Arizona and New Mexico [2-3]. The southwestern plants are particularly associated with plains, mesas, and mountain meadows. The species often grows in open habitats where seasonal rainfall provides sufficient moisture for germination and flowering. USDA Hardiness Zones: USDA Zones 5–10 (approximate seasonal growing range). Lemon beebalm is usually grown as an annual, so USDA hardiness zones are less useful than they are for perennial plants. Individual plants generally complete their life cycle before winter, but seeds may survive in the soil and germinate when conditions become favorable. The species can be grown in regions with colder winters provided the growing season is sufficiently warm. The suggested zone range is an estimate, not a verified species-specific hardiness classification. Growth Rate: Fast. Lemon beebalm can germinate, develop flowering stems, and produce seeds within a single growing season. Growth is particularly vigorous following rainfall when temperatures are warm. The plant generally establishes more quickly in open soils with limited competition. In dry conditions, growth may slow, and plants may remain relatively small. Mature Size: Height: commonly 30–90 cm (12–35 inches). Plants may be shorter in dry or nutrient-poor habitats and taller under favorable conditions. The southwestern variety austromontana is approximately 10–40 cm tall. Spread: Approximately 20–45 cm is a reasonable horticultural estimate for individual plants, but a reliable species-wide maximum has not been established here. The plant has an upright, branching growth habit and may form small groups through self-seeding. Cultivation: Lemon beebalm is an attractive annual for herb gardens, wildflower meadows, prairie plantings, and pollinator gardens. Its unusual tiers of flowers provide color and architectural interest. It prefers full sun and well-drained soil. The plant is particularly suitable for relatively dry gardens and naturalistic plantings. Although drought tolerant once established, regular moisture during germination and early growth improves establishment. Excessive fertilization may encourage soft foliage at the expense of compact growth. Lemon beebalm can be grown in containers, provided drainage is adequate. Because the plant is annual, new plants must establish from seed each year. It may self-seed in suitable conditions. For culinary use, grow plants without unsuitable pesticide treatments and harvest them from clean locations. Identification: Lemon beebalm is an upright annual herb with aromatic leaves and distinctive, tiered flower clusters. Stems: The stems are upright, branching, and typically square in cross-section, as in many members of the mint family. They may be smooth or finely hairy. Leaves: The leaves are simple and arranged oppositely. They are narrow to broadly lance-shaped, with smooth or toothed margins. The foliage releases a strong aromatic scent when crushed. Flowers: The flowers occur in dense, head-like clusters arranged along the upper stems. These clusters form distinctive tiers separated by stem sections. The surrounding bracts may be green, white, pink, lavender, or purple. The corollas are white to pinkish or lavender and have two lips. The upper lip is long, narrow, hairy, and arching. The lower lip is divided into lobes, with the central lobe often appearing truncate or cut off. The calyx has five nearly equal, spine-tipped teeth and approximately 15 longitudinal veins. The flowers have two fertile stamens. Fruits and Seeds: The fruits are small, smooth nutlets. Like many members of the mint family, the fruit develops into four one-seeded units, although fewer may mature. The nutlets are released as the flower heads dry. Similar Species: Wild Bergamot (Monarda fistulosa): Wild bergamot is a closely related aromatic perennial. Unlike the generally annual lemon beebalm, wild bergamot grows from a perennial rootstock or rhizomes. Its flowers are usually pinkish-purple and arranged in prominent terminal heads rather than the multiple tiers characteristic of lemon beebalm. Wild bergamot leaves have a particularly strong minty flavor. Both species have culinary uses as seasonings and herbal infusions. Spotted Beebalm (Monarda pectinata): Spotted beebalm is another aromatic annual that resembles lemon beebalm. Both have narrow leaves and tiered flower clusters. However, spotted beebalm generally has green floral bracts, while lemon beebalm often has conspicuously coloured bracts. The upper lip of spotted beebalm flowers is hairless, whereas lemon beebalm has a hairy upper lip. The central lobe of the lower lip also differs in shape. Both plants are described as having strongly spicy leaves and flowers. Spotted Horsemint (Monarda punctata): Spotted horsemint is another species with tiered flower clusters and colorful bracts. It can resemble lemon beebalm, particularly when flowering. Its flowers are often pale yellow or cream with conspicuous purple spots, whereas lemon beebalm more commonly has pinkish or lavender flowers. The two species may also differ in aroma. Important Taxonomic Note: The accepted species name is Monarda citriodora Cerv. ex Lag. The PFAF field notes distinguish var. austromontana from var. citriodora. The genus Monarda belongs to Lamiaceae, a family characterised by opposite leaves, frequently square stems, aromatic foliage, and flowers with bilateral symmetry. 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
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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
Lemon beebalm, lemon bee balm, lemon mint, purple horsemint, lemon horsemint.
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.
Low to moderate. Lemon beebalm is not generally regarded as a serious invasive weed. However, it can self-seed and establish new plants in open soil. In gardens, seedlings may appear in subsequent seasons where conditions are favourable. It is generally less competitive in dense, established vegetation. Its potential to naturalize outside its native range depends on climate, soil conditions, and seed production.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
IUCN Red List
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Monarda clinopodia | White Basil-Balm, White bergamot | Perennial | 1.3 |
4-8
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 0 | |
| Monarda didyma | Bergamot, Scarlet beebalm, Horsemint, Oswego Tea, Bee Balm | Perennial | 0.9 |
4-10
| M | LMH | SN | M | 3 | 2 | 3 |
| Monarda fistulosa | Wild Bergamot, Mintleaf bergamot, Wild Bee-Balm, Lupine | Perennial | 1.2 |
3-9
| M | LMH | N | DM | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Monarda menthifolia | Mint-Leaved Bergamot, Mintleaf bergamot | Perennial | 0.8 |
3-7
| | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 2 | |
| Monarda pectinata | Plains Lemon Monarda, Pony beebalm | Annual/Perennial | 1.0 |
0-0
| | LMH | N | DM | 1 | 2 | 0 |
| Monarda punctata | Horse Mint, Spotted beebalm | Annual/Perennial | 0.8 |
5-9
| | LMH | SN | DM | 1 | 3 | 1 |
|
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.
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Author
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Botanical References
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