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    Home » Gardening

    Lemon Balm Plant and Making Lemon Balm Syrup

    by Patti Estep · Aug 8, 2022

    Jump to Recipe
    Lemon balm syrup, fresh lemon balm stems and honey, over lemon balm plant in the garden.

    Learn about growing a lemon balm plant and how to make a delicious lemon balm syrup from the leaves for dry, sore throats and to sweeten drinks.

    Lemon balm plant in the garden.

    The lemon balm plant is another great perennial herb to grow in the garden. It has a nice mounding shape and the leaves as you might expect have a pleasant lemon scent and flavor.

    Close up of lemon balm plant flowers.

    The tiny white flowers are pretty too but not significant enough to show off in an arrangement. However, the foliage is pretty enough to use as filler.

    Lemon balm aka "sweet balm" is another easy-to-grow herbaceous perennial similar to catmint and is also a member of the mint family. Native to Southern Europe, its botanical name is Melissa officinalis and comes from the greek word for "honey bee"

    Medicinally it is often used for insomnia, anxiety, and indigestion.

    Growing Lemon Balm - Melissa officinalis

    • Size: 2 feet tall by 3 feet wide
    • Hardy to USDA Zones 3-9
    • Light Requirements - Full sun to partial shade
    • Water Needs - Average
    • Soil - Average well-draining soil
    • Bloom time - June to August
    • Deer Resistant
    • Loved by bees and other pollinators
    • Few pest problems but can have trouble with root rot and powdery mildew

    Harvesting Lemon Balm

    Like most herbs, lemon balm is edible and can be used in many ways. Its lovely lemony aroma is used in many culinary dishes and bath and body products. You can harvest lemon balm anytime during the growing season but it's best early in the season in the morning before it starts flowering. Pick off a few leaves or cut it back to no more than a third of the plant for drying or using in recipes.

    Lemon Balm Uses

    • Make herbal tea from the leaves to calm the mind and soothe stomach upset.
    • Dry leaves for use in potpourri, sachets, soaps, and other bath and body products.
    • Salves and balms
    • Toss in salads or drinks
    • Simple syrup as a sweetener for drinks
    • Can be used as an insect repellent
    Mason jar with water and lemon balm leaves.

    Lemon Balm Syrup with Honey

    One of my favorite ways to use lemon balm is to create a syrup with honey or sugar. Start off by making herbal lemon balm tea from the leaves. The tea is great to drink by itself. It has a light flavor and mild taste. Add some slices of lemon and ice for a great drink on a hot summer day.

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    Strainer over a bowl straining out lemon balm leaves from tea.

    Strain the liquid from the leaves and use it as the base for your syrup.

    Lemon balm syrup in a jar with a spoon, a few sprig of lemon balm branches and a jar of honey.

    Add honey to the lemon balm infused tea and keep it in the fridge for 1-2 weeks.

    Tip: Make this in small batches so you don't have to worry about spoilage.

    Airtight container with lemon balm syrup and a few branches of flowering lemon balm.

    A great garden plant that's fragrant, easy to grow, and useful in the kitchen, who wouldn't want to grow lemon balm?

    Patti signature

    More Herbs to Use and Grow

    • 20 Ways to Use Lavender
    • Herbal Dream Pillows
    • Fragrant Fire Starters
    A small jar of lemon balm syrup with a few sprigs of lemon balm on top next to a jar of honey.
    Jar of honey, fresh lemon balm and a glass container of lemon balm syrup

    Lemon Balm Syrup Recipe

    This lemon balm simple syrup with honey is a quick way for sweetening drinks or taken orally for a dry or sore throat.
    Print Recipe Pin Recipe
    Prep Time 15 minutes mins
    Cook Time 1 hour hr
    Additional Time 5 minutes mins
    Total Time 1 hour hr 20 minutes mins
    Course Condiment
    Cuisine American
    Servings 24
    Calories 14 kcal

    Ingredients
      

    • 1 cup fresh lemon balm leaves
    • 1 cup boiling water
    • 1/4 cup honey

    Instructions
     

    • Wash and thoroughly dry lemon balm leaves.
    • Place the leaves in a clean pint-sized mason jar or another glass jar
    • Pour boiling water over the leaves
    • Let the leaves steep for one hour.
    • Strain the liquid into a bowl.
    • Combine 1/4 cup of the liquid with 1/4 cup of honey.
    • Allow the mixture to cool completely on the counter.
    • Cover the jar with a tight-fitting cap and refrigerate for 1-2 weeks.

    Notes

    Do not give this to children under the age of 1 to reduce the risk of botulism from honey.
    Drink the remaining liquid as a refreshing tea or save it in the refrigerator for another batch.
    Add a spoonful or two to sweeten the beverage of your choice.
    For a dry or sore throat take 1-2 teaspoons 1-2 times a day.

    Nutrition

    Serving: 1gCalories: 14kcalCarbohydrates: 4gSodium: 3mgSugar: 3g

    Nutritional information is provided as a courtesy and is an estimate only. This information comes from online calculators. Although attempts have been made to provide accurate nutritional information, these figures are only estimates.

    Tried this recipe?Tag @hearthnvine on Instagram
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    About Patti Estep

    Patti is the creator of Hearth and Vine, a home and garden blog filled with projects to inspire your creative side. She loves crafting, gardening, decorating and entertaining at her home in Pennsylvania. When she is not working on a project at home or searching for treasures at nurseries and thrift stores with her girlfriends, you’ll probably find her with family and friends, at a restaurant, or home party enjoying new and different food adventures.

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    Lemon balm syrup, fresh lemon balm stems and honey, over lemon balm plant in the garden.
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    Hi!

    I'm Patti

    Join me to create lots of fun DIY projects, including crafts, gardening, home decor, and tasty recipes

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