The Bee balm or bees balm plant is a perennial flowering herb that belongs to the mint family. Like mint, it has opposite leaves, square stems, and creeping rhizomes spreading rapidly under the soil.
Bee balm plants thrive in USDA hardiness zones 3 to 9. It is best grown in full sun, although it tolerates shade in water places. It can benefit from the afternoon shade and morning sun.
Growing From Seed: can take a long time to germinate; anywhere from 10 to 40 days is normal. To help your seeds germinate, it is best to stratify them before planting.Growing From Cuttings: In about 2 to 3 weeks, your stems will begin to have roots, and you can remove the bag and repot your cuttings in potting soil.
Growing From Divisions: Carefully dig up any plants that you wish to divide in the spring season. Gently shake off their soil to loosen it and cut through the fig rolls with pruning shears full stop carefully pulls the sections apart, ensuring that each section has enough roots attached to regrow.
When Starting Your Seeds Indoors, Follow These Steps- 6 to 8 weeks before your local last frost date, sow your bee balm seeds are in small pots or seed trays. Press them gently into the potting soil. The bee balm requires sunlight to germinate, so do not cover them with soil; leave them the same way you planted them.
To encourage spreading, pinch back the top set of leaves on each stem when they are a couple of feet tall in early spring. This will facilitate lateral spreading allowing plants to spread out before they flower.
Pruning Division And Seed Saving For Your Bee Balm Plants
Plant them in well-draining soil with a good air circulation
Choose a site in the centre or back of a garden bed so that these flowers add a burst of colour and depth as they flower. These flowers tend to be taller than many other types.
Whether you choose to grow the standard, dwarf, or mildew resistant variety you can never go wrong with a bee balm. And now that you know where to plant bee balm go ahead and try growing your own.