Bee Balm Seeds

A member of the mint family, bee balm is a pollinator favorite and perfect for hummingbirds and butterflies. Its wispy blooms appear in summer and accompany tall foliage that has a lovely aroma often used in garnishes. Because of its stature, bee balm makes a wonderful plant for the back of a cut flower garden. The blooms have a vase life of about a week if you don't decide to snack on them first—the flowers are edible!

• The plant of choice for pollinator gardens
• Also known as wild bergamot
• Tubular petals with aromatic foliage

Provided with the ideal growing conditions, bee balm plants are low-maintenance. They thrive in loamy and moist soil, with ample sunshine, and with regular watering. Allow plenty of room between plantings to prevent powdery mildew, a disease that can affect bee balm—good airflow is critical for its fragrant and colorful blooms!

Adding a touch of brightness and wildness to mixed bouquets, bee balm is a delightful edible flower and native medicinal herb. As an easy-to-grow and vigorous native nectar plant, it is a magnet for bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in your pollinator garden. We offer perennial bee balm seed varieties, including Monarda didyma, and Monarda fistulosa. The Monarda fistulosa variety is particularly preferred for its healing properties.

If you desire a bushier appearance from your bee balm plant, we recommend light annual pruning. Simply pinch off the stem tips in the spring. During the fall season, cut the plant down to a few inches in height to encourage new growth the following spring.

Once your bee balm plant is established, you can propagate it through division and cuttings. Dividing the plant is the simplest way to propagate it, thanks to its abundant growth. Additionally, performing this task every few years can promote the plant's wellbeing and fullness. You’ll dig up the entire root system and gently lift the plant up from the ground. Once removed, use a shovel and clippers to divide the plant into multiple sections, removing any woody sections. Replant these sections in your desired locations, amending the soil with compost or a well-balanced fertilizer.

While bee balm is a fast-spreading plant that can overtake a garden, it is not considered invasive as it is native to North America.