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Melissa officinalis

Balm · Beebalm · Common Balm

Family LamiaceaeGenus Melissa

A dense mass of wrinkled, toothed heart-shaped leaves in pairs along square stems
LeafLazaregagnidzeCC BY-SA 4.0

About the plant

What it is and where it grows — not part of any germination protocol.

The plant

Habit
Herb, Herbaceous PerennialExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Habit
perennialPlants of the World Online
Height
1.5-2 ft45-60 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Spread
1.5-3 ft45-90 cmExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Flower
Cream/Tan, Gold/YellowExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Blooms
Fall, SummerExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Native range
Albania, Algeria, Baleares, Bulgaria, Corse, Cyprus and elsewhereGBIF Backbone Taxonomy
Hardiness zones
3-7Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Growing conditions

Sun
Full sun; Partial ShadeExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil
Clay, Loam (Silt), Sand, Shallow RockyExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Soil pH
Acid (<6.0), Neutral (6.0-8.0)Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox
Moisture
Good Drainage, Occasionally DryExtension Gardener Plant Toolbox

Toxicity is noted only where a source states it. No note here is not a finding of safety.

Sources: Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox — NC State Extension; Plants of the World Online — Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew; GBIF Backbone Taxonomy — Global Biodiversity Information Facility.

Worth knowing

  • Melissa is Greek for honey bee, for the bees its white flowers attract. It grows easily from seed in rich, moist soil. Wikipedia: Lemon balm

Two sources report 9 treatments between them. All are shown.

Protocol 1

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1998

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 16, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 15, 2024.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 1095 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

about 3 years from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

4% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1998 · 2nd Supplement, Melissa p. 47Public domain
Show the original text
Melissa (Lamiaceae). M. officinalis germ. 70L{100% on 4th d) when fresh (1st Suppl.). Seeds DS 3 y were largely dead and germ. 70L(4%) and 70D(none).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 2nd Supplement, 2nd Supplement, Melissa p. 47. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 2

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 24, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

No stated waiting before sowing. Then 12 days to germinate.

100% germination in 4–12 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57Public domain
Show the original text
Melissa (Lamiaceae). M. officinalis germ. somewhat differently for two samples. The first sample germ. 70L(100%) and 70D(74%) both on the 4th d and 40(30%)-70D(3%). The second sample germ. 70L(100% in 4-12 d), 70D(10%), 40(10%)-70L(63% in 4-15 d), and 40(10%)-70D(none). Shifting this second sample frbm 70D to 70L after 3 m caused 56% to germinate in 1-3 w. The 70L treatment is best but not obiigatory. DS is detrimental, and seeds DS 1 y germ. 70L(32% in 1-3 w) and 70D(3%), and seeds DS 2 y germ. 70L{25% in 4-10 d) and 70D(none).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 3

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Low Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

74% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57Public domain
Show the original text
Melissa (Lamiaceae). M. officinalis germ. somewhat differently for two samples. The first sample germ. 70L(100%) and 70D(74%) both on the 4th d and 40(30%)-70D(3%). The second sample germ. 70L(100% in 4-12 d), 70D(10%), 40(10%)-70L(63% in 4-15 d), and 40(10%)-70D(none). Shifting this second sample frbm 70D to 70L after 3 m caused 56% to germinate in 1-3 w. The 70L treatment is best but not obiigatory. DS is detrimental, and seeds DS 1 y germ. 70L(32% in 1-3 w) and 70D(3%), and seeds DS 2 y germ. 70L{25% in 4-10 d) and 70D(none).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 4

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around December 21, 2026 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

    10 germinated in this phase.

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

about 3 months from start to step 2. Germination happens during step 2, in 15 days.

63% germination in 4–15 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57Public domain
Show the original text
Melissa (Lamiaceae). M. officinalis germ. somewhat differently for two samples. The first sample germ. 70L(100%) and 70D(74%) both on the 4th d and 40(30%)-70D(3%). The second sample germ. 70L(100% in 4-12 d), 70D(10%), 40(10%)-70L(63% in 4-15 d), and 40(10%)-70D(none). Shifting this second sample frbm 70D to 70L after 3 m caused 56% to germinate in 1-3 w. The 70L treatment is best but not obiigatory. DS is detrimental, and seeds DS 1 y germ. 70L(32% in 1-3 w) and 70D(3%), and seeds DS 2 y germ. 70L{25% in 4-10 d) and 70D(none).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 5

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 16, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 15, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 365 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: light

about 12 months from start to sowing. Then 21 days to germinate.

32% germination in 7–21 days.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57Public domain
Show the original text
Melissa (Lamiaceae). M. officinalis germ. somewhat differently for two samples. The first sample germ. 70L(100%) and 70D(74%) both on the 4th d and 40(30%)-70D(3%). The second sample germ. 70L(100% in 4-12 d), 70D(10%), 40(10%)-70L(63% in 4-15 d), and 40(10%)-70D(none). Shifting this second sample frbm 70D to 70L after 3 m caused 56% to germinate in 1-3 w. The 70L treatment is best but not obiigatory. DS is detrimental, and seeds DS 1 y germ. 70L(32% in 1-3 w) and 70D(3%), and seeds DS 2 y germ. 70L{25% in 4-10 d) and 70D(none).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 6

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Moderate Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

    3 germinated in this phase.

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

30% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57Public domain
Show the original text
Melissa (Lamiaceae). M. officinalis germ. somewhat differently for two samples. The first sample germ. 70L(100%) and 70D(74%) both on the 4th d and 40(30%)-70D(3%). The second sample germ. 70L(100% in 4-12 d), 70D(10%), 40(10%)-70L(63% in 4-15 d), and 40(10%)-70D(none). Shifting this second sample frbm 70D to 70L after 3 m caused 56% to germinate in 1-3 w. The 70L treatment is best but not obiigatory. DS is detrimental, and seeds DS 1 y germ. 70L(32% in 1-3 w) and 70D(3%), and seeds DS 2 y germ. 70L{25% in 4-10 d) and 70D(none).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 7

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

No stated waiting before sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

10% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57Public domain
Show the original text
Melissa (Lamiaceae). M. officinalis germ. somewhat differently for two samples. The first sample germ. 70L(100%) and 70D(74%) both on the 4th d and 40(30%)-70D(3%). The second sample germ. 70L(100% in 4-12 d), 70D(10%), 40(10%)-70L(63% in 4-15 d), and 40(10%)-70D(none). Shifting this second sample frbm 70D to 70L after 3 m caused 56% to germinate in 1-3 w. The 70L treatment is best but not obiigatory. DS is detrimental, and seeds DS 1 y germ. 70L(32% in 1-3 w) and 70D(3%), and seeds DS 2 y germ. 70L{25% in 4-10 d) and 70D(none).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 8

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty High Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 15, 2027 for a May 3 last frost.

  1. Cold moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 40°F 4°C

  2. Warm moist stratification

    Duration: 90 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

Steps after step 1 run on after germination.

Germination happens during step 1; time not stated, 21 days assumed.

10% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57Public domain
Show the original text
Melissa (Lamiaceae). M. officinalis germ. somewhat differently for two samples. The first sample germ. 70L(100%) and 70D(74%) both on the 4th d and 40(30%)-70D(3%). The second sample germ. 70L(100% in 4-12 d), 70D(10%), 40(10%)-70L(63% in 4-15 d), and 40(10%)-70D(none). Shifting this second sample frbm 70D to 70L after 3 m caused 56% to germinate in 1-3 w. The 70L treatment is best but not obiigatory. DS is detrimental, and seeds DS 1 y germ. 70L(32% in 1-3 w) and 70D(3%), and seeds DS 2 y germ. 70L{25% in 4-10 d) and 70D(none).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

Protocol 9

DerivedN. C. Deno, 1996

Difficulty Very high Rated by us, not by the source.

Start around March 16, 2027 for a May 3 last frost. Too late for spring 2027 — that needed starting on March 15, 2026.

  1. Dry storage

    Duration: 365 daysTemperature: 70°F 21°C

  2. Sow and cover

    Temperature: 70°F 21°C Light: dark

about 12 months from start to sowing. Germination time not stated; 21 days assumed.

3% germination.

Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement — N. C. Deno, 1996 · 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57Public domain
Show the original text
Melissa (Lamiaceae). M. officinalis germ. somewhat differently for two samples. The first sample germ. 70L(100%) and 70D(74%) both on the 4th d and 40(30%)-70D(3%). The second sample germ. 70L(100% in 4-12 d), 70D(10%), 40(10%)-70L(63% in 4-15 d), and 40(10%)-70D(none). Shifting this second sample frbm 70D to 70L after 3 m caused 56% to germinate in 1-3 w. The 70L treatment is best but not obiigatory. DS is detrimental, and seeds DS 1 y germ. 70L(32% in 1-3 w) and 70D(3%), and seeds DS 2 y germ. 70L{25% in 4-10 d) and 70D(none).
Seed Germination Theory and Practice, 1st Supplement, 1st Supplement, Melissa p. 57. Quoted exactly. Every value on this card comes from this record, except the difficulty rating, which is ours; the step names come from a fixed list.

How each step is done, in Deno’s words, and what Verified and Derived mean.

Germination trials

Readers’ own records of sowing this species, published after review. Share your trial · All trials

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