How to Grow Lemon Balm Microgreens
Melissa officinalis
Lemon balm microgreens offer a burst of citrusy flavor and aromatic appeal for salads and garnishes. While this perennial herb thrives in gardens throughout zones 3 to 7, growing it as a microgreen provides a quick harvest of tender leaves packed with essential oils.
📷 Wikipedia: Lemon balmStarting Lemon Balm Microgreens: indoors or direct sow?
🌾 Sow directly in the garden — Lemon Balm Microgreens is not usually started indoors.
As a microgreen crop, this plant is typically harvested directly from the tray rather than being transplanted to an outdoor garden bed.
Soil, care & harvest
Prepare your tray with loose, sterile soil adjusted to a pH between 6.0 and 7.5 for optimal growth. Since lemon balm is a cool-season crop that tolerates light frosts, you can sow seeds indoors or directly outdoors just before the last frost date. Press seeds lightly into the medium at a depth of about 1/4 inch, as they require good soil contact to germinate reliably within 7 to 14 days.
Space your microgreens densely using a medium seeding rate, roughly half an ounce per standard tray. Keep the growing area moist by misting once or twice daily, but ensure the surface dries slightly between sessions to prevent rot. Although these young plants do not require trellising, maintain consistent humidity and provide partial shade if sunlight becomes too intense during their short growth cycle.
Watch for aphids and spider mites in dry conditions by increasing misting frequency or introducing beneficial insects early. Prevent powdery mildew and damping off by ensuring good air circulation and avoiding overwatering. Harvest your lemon balm microgreens after approximately 70 days, though they are often ready sooner; simply snip the stems just above the soil line when leaves are fully developed.
When to Plant Lemon Balm Microgreens
Planting windows vary by USDA hardiness zone. Look up yours by ZIP code.
| Zone | Start Indoors | Direct Sow | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| Zone 1 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 2 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 3 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 4 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 5 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 6 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 7 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 8 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 9 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 10 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 11 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 12 | January – December | — | January – December |
| Zone 13 | January – December | — | January – December |
Companion Plants for Lemon Balm Microgreens
✓ Good companions
Similar growing conditions and harvest window for microgreens
Repels aphids and thrips, complementary aromatic oils enhance each other
Natural pest deterrent against aphids and fungal diseases
Fast-growing companion with similar light and water needs
Attracts beneficial predatory insects and has complementary growth habit
Compatible moisture and temperature requirements for microgreen production
Similar growing conditions, attracts beneficial insects like parasitic wasps
Quick germination helps break soil surface, similar harvest timing
✗ Keep away from
Produces juglone which inhibits growth of most herbs including lemon balm
Allelopathic compounds suppress growth of nearby plants including herbs
Aggressive spreading can overwhelm and compete with lemon balm
Nutrition Facts
Per 100g serving (USDA FoodData Central)
