Bee Balm
herb
Native perennial (Monarda) — hummingbird and pollinator magnet. Prone to powdery mildew; space well and avoid overhead watering. Leaves make a bergamot-flavored tea. Divide every 2–3 years.
At a glance
- USDA Zones
- 3–9
- Sun
- Full sun (6+ hrs)
- Water
- Medium — water when top inch of soil is dry
- Soil
- Loam
- pH
- Neutral, acidic
- Spacing
- 18 in. between plants
- Space needed
- A 2×2 ft block of the bed
Planting & harvest windows
Northern Hemisphere timing. Adjust ±4–6 weeks based on your last/first frost dates.
| Activity | Jan | Feb | Mar | Apr | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Plant | ||||||||||||
| Harvest |
Plant Harvest
Good companions
Recommended varieties
- Jacob Clineboth
Tall scarlet bee balm with strong mildew resistance.
- Raspberry Wineboth
Deep wine-red flowers on mildew-resistant plants.
- Marshall's Delightboth
Clear pink with excellent mildew resistance — AAS winner.
Add Bee Balm to your raised bed — the planner handles spacing and companion warnings automatically.
Open the planner →