{"product_id":"melissa-officinalis","title":"Melissa officinalis","description":"\u003cp\u003eMelissa officinalis (lemon balm) is a hardy perennial herb with soft, bright green leaves that release a clear lemon scent the moment you brush past. It grows fast, fills out into a bushy clump, and gives you plenty to pick for tea, summer drinks, and cooking.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eIt’s also enthusiastic: in open soil it can self-seed and creep wider over time. If you want the flavour without the roaming, keep it in a defined herb bed or a pot.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eMelissa officinalis: growth habit, size, and season\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eFresh shoots appear early, leaf growth builds quickly, and small white flowers follow in summer. Top growth dies back in winter and returns from the base in spring. Mature plants commonly sit around 40 to 80 cm tall (higher in flower) with roughly 40 to 60 cm spread per clump.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eWhere lemon balm stays productive\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eLight:\u003c\/strong\u003e Full sun to light shade.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSoil:\u003c\/strong\u003e Humus-rich, moisture-retentive but free-draining. Sites that stay soggy through winter commonly shows up later as stalled growth and dieback.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eWater:\u003c\/strong\u003e Keep moisture steady while establishing; afterwards, water during prolonged dry spells for better leaf quality.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003ePlanting and establishment\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePlant at the same level as the pot, loosen the surrounding soil widely, and water in deeply. A light organic mulch around (not on) the crown helps buffer drying winds and reduces the wet - dry swing that can stall young plants.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eHarvesting and cut-back\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003ePick tips often for the best fragrance. If stems get tall or the plant starts flowering and you want more leaf growth, cut back after bloom - fresh, tender shoots follow. Removing flower stems before seed set also reduces volunteer seedlings.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003ch3\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eContainer notes\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/h3\u003e\u003cp\u003eLemon balm is easy in pots as long as watering stays consistent. Choose a container that doesn’t overheat, use a mix that drains well, and expect faster drying in wind or reflected heat.\u003c\/p\u003e\u003cp\u003eOrder a set of three and use them in different spots - one for harvest, one for pollinators, and one kept neatly contained in a pot.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Bloomique","offers":[{"title":"3 Plants","offer_id":61482618519882,"sku":"MM-MEC-0910","price":11.95,"currency_code":"EUR","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0979\/5115\/4506\/files\/melissa-officinalis-05.webp?v=1776361237","url":"https:\/\/foliage-factory.com\/products\/melissa-officinalis","provider":"Foliage Factory","version":"1.0","type":"link"}