Lemon Balm Repels Annoying Bugs This herb has the ability to repel ants, mosquitoes, and flies with its high amount of compounds that resemble the scent of citronella. Try making my easy herbal no bug balm to keep those pesky mosquitoes at range.
How do I use lemon balm in my garden?
How to Use Lemon Balm. As a general rule of thumb, treat lemon balm as you would any other fresh herb. It works especially well in place of mint, offering bright, fragrant notes. Add whole lemon balm leaves to green salads, or chiffonade the leaves and scatter them over a fruit salad for added zesty flavor.
What are lemon balm plants good for?
Lemon balm (Melissa officinalis), a member of the mint family, is considered a calming herb. It was used as far back as the Middle Ages to reduce stress and anxiety, promote sleep, improve appetite, and ease pain and discomfort from indigestion (including gas and bloating, as well as colic).
Does lemon balm attract pests?
Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)
Among the insects attracted to lemon balm are tachinid flies, hoverflies and parasitic wasps. It is also said to repel mosquitos if you rub it on your skin. Lemon balm can work as a pest repellant.
Is lemon balm a good ground cover?
Lemon Balm grows beautifully throughout the garden as lovely ground cover and also grows very well in containers. It’s related to the Mint family, and has small mint-like green leaves. Lemon Balm is very easy to grow from cuttings and grows well in part shade/sunny positions.
Does lemon balm repel mosquitoes?
Lemon Balm
The lemon scent, which repels the bugs, is powerful. It rubs off very well onto the skin. Lemon balm repels mosquitoes and gnats.
Will lemon balm take over my garden?
If not carefully controlled, lemon balm can quickly become invasive in the garden. Often, people mistakenly think that lemon balm is invasive due to its roots, like its cousins peppermint and spearmint, but in fact it’s the seeds of the lemon balm plant that cause this herb to suddenly take over a garden.
Does lemon balm repel ants?
Lemon Balm
This member of the mint family emits a clean lemon scent. Mosquitoes don’t like it. Neither do flies and ants.
Is lemon balm toxic to dogs?
Lemon balm, known scientifically as Melissa officinalis, is a non-toxic herb that can be used on dogs, cats, and even horses. As a supplement for your dog, lemon balm has many benefits that may help with several different conditions.
Can you eat lemon balm raw?
You can certainly enjoy lemon balm fresh on salads, or in your favorite recipes, too. Be brave! Experiment with its bright flavor.
Do tomatoes like lemon balm?
Most herbs, fruits, and vegetables make great lemon balm companions, including the following: Winter and summer squash. Melons. Tomatoes.
Does lemon balm come back every year?
Container Growing Lemon Balm
Winter growing: Cut back lemon balm in fall leaving just 2 inches of stem. The plant may freeze back to the ground in winter but will re-grow from underground roots and renew itself in spring.
Do bees like lemon balm?
Lemon Balm (Melissa) – Lemon Balm is known by many names, Melissa, the genus name means “honeybee” and it is definitely a favorite of the bees. It’s also a wonderful herb to have on hand. The leaves are antibacterial, anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, antiviral, sedative and aromatic.
Do butterflies like lemon balm?
When lemon balm flowers, it brings in bees and butterflies and other beneficial pollinators. (Check out other plants I recommend to attract pollinators here.)
Is lemon balm invasive?
Lemon balm is part of the mint family, and spreads just like mint and become very invasive.
Can you mow lemon balm?
Cut back the plants at any time by up to half their height. Prune back the plants before their flowers open if you don’t want the lemon balm to set seeds. Mow down the lemon balm in fall to a 2-inch height.
Does lemon balm repel spiders?
Lemon Balm
It has a strong smell, one you’ll enjoy, but two particular pests don’t like it: spiders and fruit flies. This can create an absence of not only spiders but one of their prey, removing an incentive for them being indoors anyways. It’s easy to grow.
Does lemon balm repel wasps?
Lemon balm is another widely praised wasp repellent plant that many gardeners love to grow. Not only is it incredible at keeping wasps away, but there are tons of different ways to use it.
Does lemon balm repel fleas?
Lemon Balm to Repel Fleas (Melissa officinalis)
This plant is a good repellent for mosquitos, and can make a great extract for a bug spray. Fleas, ticks, and mosquitos all hate the smell and taste of citrus-smelling plants, and they won’t go near you or your pet if they smell lemon balm around you.
Will lemon balm choke out other plants?
It chokes out other weeds very well. I have found one thing that seems to be even more aggressive in its spread than lemon balm and that is those wild orangeread more.
Should lemon balm be cut back?
Keep plants well watered during dry spells in summer, and cut back after flowering to encourage a fresh flush of leaves. Lemon balm will self-seed readily, so if you don’t want more plants, remember to remove the faded flowers before they set seed.