Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis) or Sweet Melissa is an ancient herb belonging to the mint family (hence its square stems).

Its praises have been sung by the Greeks as far back as 2,000 years ago as both a medicinal herb for feeling melancholy, cold sores, fevers, and headaches. Cosmetically, Lemon balm has been used as a facial steam and as an astringent for oily hair.

In modern times, it's perhaps best known for its use in teas and culinary dishes. Cut fresh from the garden, Lemon balm is lovely floating in iced tea or fruit water and adds refreshing citrus flavor.

Steeped gently in hot tea, Sweet Melissa is known for its nerve-calming properties. The fresh or dried leaves need to be steeped only for a minute or so as too much of a good thing could actually cause headaches in some people.

Besides Sweet Melissa, Lemon balm is sometimes referred to as Sweet Balm. It's also confused with both Bee balm and Lemon Verbena, neither of which has any relations to Melissa officinalis. Once planted, Lemon balm is bound to hang around for generation after generation.

It's not only a perennial, but also reseeds maybe a bit too easily just like its mint cousins. Because of its wayward habit, many gardeners prefer to give it its own small bed or grow it in a container.

For culinary use, Lemon balm makes a nice flavor enhancer for chicken, egg,  or fish dishes as well as sauces. It's refreshing not only in iced tea or fruit water, but punch, as well. Oils and specialty butters benefit from freshly chopped Sweet Melissa for a light, lemony flavor.

Lemon Balm in the Garden

Plant Sweet Melissa in full sun with possibly afternoon shade in the hottest areas. While you can certainly start Lemon balm from seed; for just a plant or two it makes more sense to purchase a couple of starts.

Lots of sun is fine for lemon balm, but it prefers its soil moist. If the soil get too dried out between waterings, the leaves become pale and unappetizing as opposed to its deep, green color that makes it lovely in food or in a tea glass.

This tender perennial likes soil that's rich in nutrients and grows to 2 feet tall and nearly as wide. The flowers can be white, pinkish or blue, but in any case they're pretty nondescript. Lemon balm's claim to fame is its bright, lemony scent. For home gardens, usually one plant is sufficient.

Even if you're not sure you'd use Lemon balm is recipes, just walking by and tickling the plant with your fingers will bring sunshine wafting through the air and that's reason enough to have it hanging around.