How to Grow Bee Balm, a Pretty Native Perennial (2025)

Bee balm is a sure bet for bringing pollinators to the garden with its blossoms reminiscent of fireworks in a variety of colors. Vigorous growth and a long bloom time make this native plant a standout in any garden setting. Bee balm is not only worth growing as a pollinator magnet and a beautiful summertime display, but also for its edible leaves and flowers.

Because of thepopularity of pollinator plants, the availability of bee balm has surged. You can choose from numerous varieties in colors from warm reds to cool lavenders and ranging in height from compact to tall. The flowers begin unfolding in early summer, and many varieties continue to bloom well into the fall.

Where to Plant Bee Balm

Bee balm does best where it will get at least 6 hours of full sun and the soil stays moist. Choose a spot with good air circulation to reduce powdery mildew, which commonly affects the plant. Tall varieties that grow up to 4 feet tall and 3 to 4 feet wide make a great background plant for flowerbeds and perennial border gardens.

Keep in mind that bee balm is a vigorous plant. In small garden settings, some varieties of bee balm out-compete less aggressive neighbors, so be careful where you plant them. Fortunately, bee balm spreads by rhizomes or underground stems that are easy to remove or divide for propagation.

How and When to Plant Bee Balm

Plant container-grown bee balm in the spring or fall. Dig a hole twice as wide as the nursery container and just as deep, and place the plant in the center. Backfill with original soil and gently tamp it down. Water well and keep the soil evenly moist while the plant establishes itself during the first growing season.

Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart.

Bee Balm Care

Bee balm is an easy plant to care for as long as the soil is kept moist yet well-drained.

Light

Ideally, bee balm should be planted in full sun for the best floral display and dense growth. Plants in partial sun tend to get more diseases like powdery mildew, which bee balm is notorious for.

Soil and Water

Most varieties of bee balm prosper in moist soil, especially during the summer. The soil needs to be in well-drained and slightly acidic (pH between 6.0 to 6.7)

Exceptionally dry weather or a drought weakens the plant and makes it susceptible to foliar diseases. Supplemental watering applied at the base of the plant helps bee balm cope better with the summer heat. Avoid getting the leaves wet to prevent fungus spread.

Temperature and Humidity

Bee balm is winter hardy in USDA Zones 3-9. It does better in a dry climate with good air circulation. Too much humidity leads to mildew, rust, and other diseases. In very hot, dry regions, the plant may wilt during peak afternoon temperatures.

Fertilizer

A soil rich in nutrients from organic matter should provide all that bee balm needs to thrive. If the soil is poor, add a few inches of compost before planting and apply a diluted liquid fertilizer a couple of times throughout the growing season. Don’t overdo it—overfertilizing bee balm decreases flowering as the plant will focus its energy on growing foliage.

Pruning

To encourage constant blooms, deadhead the spent flowers. In the spring, cut the dead stems back to just a couple of inches above the soil to make room for the new growth.

Potting and Repotting

Bee balm requires very large containers—approximately 5 to 10 gallons—filled with a combination of high-quality potting mix and compost. Container plants need more frequent watering than plants in garden soil. Water anytime when the top inch of the soil feels dry. Because bee balm is such a vigorous grower, you will need to divide your potted bee balm plant every couple of years to keep it from becoming root-bound in the container.

Although bee balm is winter-hardy, potted bee balm needs protection, as the roots are not sufficiently insulated. Don’t bring the plant indoors, though. Instead, place your bee balm in a sheltered area (such as an unheated garage).

Pests and Problems

The biggest problem with bee balms is their susceptibility to powdery mildew, which in severe cases causes defoliation of the plant. While it probably won't kill your bee balm, it makes it unsightly. Selecting a variety with resistance to powdery mildew helps, however, good cultural practices are still important to minimize the problem.

Powdery mildew thrives in moist, warm conditions and is spread by wind and water droplets. To discourage the disease from taking hold, place plants in areas with good air circulation, water the plant at the base, and clean up any leaf debris because it often harbors spores. In soil with poor drainage, root rot may develop.

Bee balm is rabbit- and deer-resistant.

How to Propagate Bee Balm

Dividing bee balm in the spring is a good way to manage its spread. The center of bee balm plants can become woody and unproductive over time, so dividing them every 2 to 3 years will keep your plants healthy and vibrant and also prevent them from taking over your yard. Dig up the plant, remove and discard the woody center, divide the remaining roots into separate sections, and replant the sections at the same depth as the original plant.

You can also grow bee balm from seeds. Collecting seeds from a hybrid is usually not worth the effort because they won’t produce plants that are true to the parent. To get a head start on the growing season, start seeds indoors about 8 weeks before your average last frost date. Place four or five seeds on the surface of a soilless seed starting medium in a small pot or seedling tray. Cover the seeds with a mere sprinkling of seed starting medium. Spray it gently with water and place it under grow lights or in a sunny window. Keep the soil moist at all times. Plant the seedlings outdoors after the last frost has passed.

Types of Bee Balm

Bee balm is often sold as a hybrid or cultivar based on three species: scarlet beebalm (Monarda didyma), wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa), and spotted beebalm (Monarda punctata). New cultivars hit the market just about every year. They offer improved disease resistance, more compact plants, and new flower colors.

Wild Bergamot

Monarda fistulosa is native to much of North America and typically grows in sunny sites along roads or open fields. Its lavender to purple flowers appear from mid- to late summer on plants that grow 2 to 4 feet tall. This species has good powdery mildew resistance. A top-rated naturally occurring variety is Monarda fistulosa‘Claire Grace’with a sturdy growth habit and good resistance to powdery mildew. Zone 3-9

Spotted Bee Balm

Monarda punctata is native to most of the eastern half of the United States, where it grows best in dry, sandy soils. Though the creamy-white flowers dotted in purple are relatively small, the lavender-pink bracts are quite showy. The plant smells like oregano. Zone 4-10

'Blue Stocking' Bee Balm

Monarda 'Blue Stocking' ('Blaustrumpf') has striking lavender-blue flowers that attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies in midsummer. The plant is relatively compact, growing 2 to 3 feet tall. Zone 4-9

Bradbury's Bee Balm

Monarda bradburiana is a late-spring bloomer that is also sometimes called eastern bee balm, white bergamot, or eastern horsemint. Fluffy lavender flowers top plants that grow 15 to 24 inches tall. In autumn, the foliage takes on a deep burgundy hue. It is rarely affected by powdery mildew. Zone 4-9

'Cambridge Scarlet' Bee Balm

Monarda 'Cambridge Scarlet' has leafy clumps of 3-foot stems clothed with aromatic oval leaves. The terminal whorls of bright red two-lipped flowers are surrounded by brownish-red bracts. Zone 3-9

'Lambada' Bee Balm

Monarda citriodora 'Lambada' is a Great Plains native plant commonly called lemon bee balm, lemon mint, lemon balm, or purple horsemint. It grows 18 to 24 inches tall and bears whorls of pink bracts with white flowers dotted with purple. It usually grows as an annual and occasionally survives for a second year of bloom. Zone 3-9

'Petite Delight' Bee Balm

'Petite Delight (Monarda 'Acpetdel') is a compact bee balm that grows only 12 to 15 inches tall. It has rosy pink blooms in midsummer. Its foliage is mildew-resistant. Zone 3-9

'Prairie G*psy' Bee Balm

'Prairie G*psy' has a long bloom season, beginning in late spring and lasting through midsummer. It grows 18 to 24 inches tall. This selection is exceptionally drought-tolerant. Zone 4-9

'Raspberry Wine' Bee Balm

Monarda 'Raspberry Wine' grows about 2-1/2 feet tall and is topped with rounded clusters of rose-red two-lipped flowers surrounded by wine-red bracts. Zone 3-9

'Violet Queen' Bee Balm

Monarda 'Violet Queen' grows 3 to 4 feet tall and bears lavender to violet flowers that attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds in midsummer. The fuzzy green foliage has excellent resistance to powdery mildew. Zone 4-9

Bee Balm Companion Plants

Veronica

Easy and undemanding, veronica catches the eye in sunny gardens over many months. Some types have mats with loose clusters of saucer-shaped flowers, while others group their star or tubular flowers into erect tight spikes. A few veronicas bring elusive blue to the garden, though more often the flowers are purplish or violet blue, rosy pink, or white. Provide full sun and average well-drained soil. Regular deadheading extends bloom time. Zone 3-11

Aster

Asters get their name from the Latin word for "star," and their flowers are indeed the superstars of the fall garden. Some types of this native plant reach up to 6 feet with flowers in white and pink and also in striking rich purple and showy lavender. However, not all asters are fall bloomers. Extend the season by growing some of the summer bloomers, as well. Zone 3-9

Coneflower

Purple coneflower is so easy to grow and draws many birds and butterflies. Valued for its large, sturdy daisylike flowers, this prairie native will spread quickly in good soil and full sun. It used to be that rosy purple or white were the only choices in flower color. Meanwhile, hybrids have been introduced with colors including yellow, orange, burgundy, cream, and shades in between. Zone 3-9

Evening Primrose

With brilliant yellow, pink, or white cups or goblets, beautiful evening primroses are so easy to grow that you'll see them thriving uncared for along roadsides. Their cup-shaped flowers of various sizes open during the day, and many are wonderfully fragrant. Take note, though: Some spread enthusiastically and need control. Zone 3-11

Garden Plans for Bee Balm

Long-Blooming Rock Garden Plan

This rock garden border plan is designed around a couple of very large boulders, but could easily be adapted to any rock garden setting. A variety of perennials providesa pleasing mix of colorsand textures and turns a drab, rocky landscape into a tapestry of bright colors that will last you through the season.

Butterfly Garden Plan

This colorful butterfly garden plan bursts witheasy-to-grow perennial and annual flowersthat are irresistible to these fascinating insects. A variety of blossoms offers nectar to adult butterflies, while leafy food sources, such as parsley, nourish the larvae. The plan also includes a few decorative rocks to provide convenient perches for your winged visitors.

Easy Streetside Garden Plan

Turn your hell strip into a heavenly oasis of color and bloom with fuss-free native plants. This easy street-side garden plan relies on a mix of native perennials that do just that, plus they'll create an oasis of colorfulblooms and foliage that will look good all summer long. Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects will also appreciate theabundance of nectar-rich flowers.

No-Fuss Bird and Butterfly Garden Plan

This is a no-fuss bird and butterfly garden plan that will bring lots ofpollinators buzzing around your landscape. It includes tried-and-true favorites, such as catmint, butterfly weed, bee balm, and aster, that will produce a ton of color all summer into fall.