What it is
Bee Balm (Bergamot) (Monarda species) is in the Lamiaceae (Mint) family. Shaggy red or lavender flowers swarmed by hummingbirds and bees, with leaves that make a thyme-scented tea.
How to grow it
It wants full sun to part shade, water it moderate, and give it rich, moist soil. Target a soil pH around 6.0–7.0. Space plants about 18–24 in apart. Expect roughly Blooms summer. Hardy perennial.
How it's used
Bee Balm (Bergamot) is used: tea; edible flowers.
🔎 How to identify it
- Aromatic toothed leaves
- Square stems
- Ragged tubular flower heads
Edibility
PartsLeaves and flowers
UsesTea; edible flowers
CautionCan get powdery mildew in humidity — give it airflow.
🌤 Before you plant: check the live 7-day garden weather to time it right for frost and heat.
Part of the free Texas Roots plant database, compiled by Jordan Polasek from his greenhouse in El Campo, Texas. Free to read and share. If it helped, the best thanks is to grow something.