Guide to Growing and Caring for Bee Balm Plant

Last Updated on August 16, 2022 by Real Men Sow

You can find the native bee balm plant in the North American forests. The botanical name of bee balm is Monarda. It is attractive to butterflies and bees. The shape of the bee balm flower is open and daisy-like. It has tubular petals in different colors, including white, pink, purple, red, and white. Bee balm plants can be found year after year and bring cheerful color to your garden.

How to Plant Bee Balm 

The Bee balm plant likes moist, rich soil and sun. Even in the hottest summer months, bee balm can tolerate shade. You may plant it in any protected area that would benefit from a bright color.

The majority of bee balm plants are 2 1/2 to 4 feet tall (76 cm). The most common height is one meter, but you can also find dwarf varieties that are less than 10 inches (25.5 cm) high. The dwarf varieties are great for container gardens and upfront in flower borders where you can enjoy the tubular, shaggy blooms of bee balm flowers. To encourage flower production, pick bee balm flowers often. Deadheading or removing old flowers will encourage a new flush.

Bee Balm Plant General Care 

Soil Condition

Growing bee balm can be pretty simple as long as the soil is moist. Use a multi-purpose fertilizer that is good for all purposes and mix it in the soil around your bee balm plant.

Making it Bushier

You can make your plant bushier by removing the stem tips in spring. New growth will appear in the early spring. Cut the bee balm to a length of 5-10 cm in late fall. It may fall to the ground in cold regions, but it will return in spring.

Powdery Mildew Control

Powdery mildew is a problem that affects a bee balm plant. It appears as a grayish, powdery powder on buds and leaves when it is cool and moist. You can treat mildew with natural remedies or a spray from your local garden center. You can also prevent mildew by planting bee balm in a place with good air circulation and not watering from overhead.

Real Men Sow
Real Men Sow

Hello, I’m Pete and I’m currently based in the west of Scotland, in a small place called Rosneath, where I’m exploring my garden adventures. I personally started gardening around 6 years ago and initially, I started out by growing my favorite fruits and berries, such as strawberries, Raspberries & Gooseberries. Since then I’ve added a lot of vegetables and working closely with my neighbor, it’s been a lot of fun.