{"product_id":"lemon-balm-melissa-officinalis","title":"Lemon Balm (Melissa officinalis)","description":"\u003cp\u003e50 Seeds\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLemon Balm is a fragrant perennial herb from the mint family. It has soft green, slightly crinkled leaves with a pleasant \u003cstrong\u003efresh lemon-like fragrance\u003c\/strong\u003e when rubbed. It is commonly grown as an aromatic garden herb, for herbal teas, and in home gardens. Small white to pale-yellowish flowers can attract bees and other pollinators.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eIn the Gulf, Lemon Balm grows best during the \u003cstrong\u003ecooler months\u003c\/strong\u003e because intense summer heat can cause stress and slow growth.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🌱 Best Sowing Time\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor the Gulf area, sow Lemon Balm mainly from:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eSeptember to February\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eKuwait:\u003c\/strong\u003e October to January is ideal\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eUAE \u0026amp; Qatar:\u003c\/strong\u003e September to February\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSaudi Arabia \u0026amp; Bahrain:\u003c\/strong\u003e September to February\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eOman:\u003c\/strong\u003e September to February, depending on local temperatures and elevation\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid starting seeds during the hottest part of summer.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🌿 How to Sow\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003col\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse a fine, well-draining seed-starting mix.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eScatter the seeds on the surface.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCover with only \u003cstrong\u003e2–3 mm of fine soil or growing medium\u003c\/strong\u003e. Lemon Balm seeds should not be planted deeply.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMist gently so the seeds are not washed away.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep the surface lightly moist until germination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePlace the seed tray somewhere bright, warm, and well ventilated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ol\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🌡️ Germination\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eIdeal temperature:\u003c\/strong\u003e 18–24°C\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eGermination time:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 7–21 days\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGermination can be slower or uneven if temperatures are unsuitable.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid excessive heat above about \u003cstrong\u003e28–30°C\u003c\/strong\u003e during germination.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep the growing medium moist but never saturated.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🌱 Seedling Care\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eOnce seedlings appear:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide plenty of bright light.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eGive gentle morning sunlight.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProtect young seedlings from intense afternoon Gulf sun.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eWater lightly when the surface begins to dry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMaintain good airflow.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThin crowded seedlings so they do not become weak or leggy.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🌿 Transplanting\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eTransplant when the seedlings have developed several true leaves.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eSpacing:\u003c\/strong\u003e approximately 30–45 cm between plants\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\n\u003cstrong\u003eContainer:\u003c\/strong\u003e 5–10 L or larger\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eChoose a container with good drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHarden seedlings gradually before placing them outdoors.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eTransplant during the cooler part of the day.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLemon Balm can spread vigorously once established, so containers can be useful if you want to keep it controlled.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e☀️ Sunlight\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePrefers \u003cstrong\u003efull sun to partial shade\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn the Gulf, strong morning sunlight is excellent.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProvide afternoon shade during hot weather.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAbout \u003cstrong\u003e30–50% afternoon shade\u003c\/strong\u003e can help during periods of intense heat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid placing containers against extremely hot concrete, metal, or reflective walls.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e💧 Watering\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLemon Balm prefers regular moisture but does not like waterlogged soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eKeep young seedlings evenly and lightly moist.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eOnce established, water when the upper layer of soil begins to dry.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIncrease watering during hot, dry weather.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReduce watering during cooler or humid periods.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAlways provide good drainage.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eMulching around established plants can help keep the root zone cooler and reduce moisture loss.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🌱 Soil\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eUse a fertile, loose, well-draining soil.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eA suitable container mix can contain:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eQuality potting soil or coco peat\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAged compost\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003ePerlite or pumice\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eA small amount of coarse sand if additional drainage is needed\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eAvoid heavy soil that stays wet for long periods.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🌿 Fertilizing\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eBegin light feeding after the plants are established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eUse a balanced herb or general-purpose fertilizer at a low rate.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eFeed approximately every \u003cstrong\u003e4–6 weeks during active growth\u003c\/strong\u003e if needed.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid excessive nitrogen, which can produce soft, overly leafy growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eReduce or stop feeding during periods of extreme Gulf heat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🌸 Flowering \u0026amp; Harvest\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eLemon Balm produces small, delicate flowers that can attract \u003cstrong\u003ebees and other pollinators\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cp\u003eFor leafy growth:\u003c\/p\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eHarvest young leaves and stems once the plant is well established.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eCutting the stems regularly encourages bushier growth.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eThe leaves have their strongest lemon-like aroma when fresh.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eLeaves can also be dried for later use.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003ch3\u003e🔥 Gulf Climate Tips\u003c\/h3\u003e\n\u003cul\u003e\n\u003cli\u003e\u003cstrong\u003eCool-season cultivation is strongly recommended.\u003c\/strong\u003e\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eProtect young plants from temperatures above \u003cstrong\u003e35°C\u003c\/strong\u003e.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eMorning sun + afternoon shade is a good combination in hot areas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eContainers make it easier to move plants to a cooler location.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eAvoid hot rooftops, concrete surfaces, and walls that radiate heat.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eExcellent drainage is especially important in humid coastal Gulf areas.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eDuring extreme summer heat, growth may slow considerably.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003cli\u003eIn very hot locations, give the plant additional afternoon protection or grow it in a partially shaded area.\u003c\/li\u003e\n\u003c\/ul\u003e\n\u003cp\u003e\u003cstrong\u003e🌱 Growing Tip:\u003c\/strong\u003e Lemon Balm is an excellent herb to start during the cooler Gulf season. Sow the seeds shallowly, keep the surface lightly moist during germination, provide bright morning light, and protect the plant from intense afternoon heat.\u003c\/p\u003e","brand":"Heritage Harvest Seed","offers":[{"title":"Default Title","offer_id":48573678977242,"sku":null,"price":1.95,"currency_code":"KWD","in_stock":true}],"thumbnail_url":"\/\/cdn.shopify.com\/s\/files\/1\/0715\/1026\/1978\/files\/LemonBalmCropped_1400x_f1f56d92-211b-49d4-8503-3852a94dd797.webp?v=1788980355","url":"https:\/\/www.alldrops.store\/products\/lemon-balm-melissa-officinalis","provider":"All Drops Store","version":"1.0","type":"link"}