bee balm uses

Fresh bee balm leaves can be added to pesto, and the flower petals make a pretty and aromatic garnish. They can be used in salads, to make an herbal butter, or in homemade ice cream or a cream cheese spread. Bee balm petals are also a lovely way to dress up fresh fruit or a fruit salad like this one.

What is bee balm good for?

Bee balm is antimicrobial and soothing, so it's often used to treat colds and flu. It also has a soothing effect on the digestive tract and helps to treat indigestion, bloating and nausea.

Is bee balm poisonous?

Edible Parts

The leaves of wild bee balm are edible raw or cooked. They are also used as a flavoring in salads and cooked foods. The flowers make an attractive edible garnish in salads.

What to do with bee balm after it blooms?

Once a stem has finished flowering, trim it back down to the ground or pinch it off. This will encourage the plant to send up another blossoming stem. In the fall or winter, you should prune bee balm after it has died back. Take it back down to just above the soil's surface.

What does bee balm taste like?

Flavor and aroma: Bee balm tastes and smells like mint with citrusy undertones of orange and lemon. Some say it smells like Earl Grey tea. Use fresh flowers and leaves in fruit, salads, teas, lemonade, pork, poultry, and jellies. Flowers: Add flowers to salads.

Where does bee balm grow best?

How to Grow Bee Balm

Light: Bee balm does best in full sun. Though it will grow in part shade, it tends to stretch and become leggy over time.
Soil: Bee balm does best in evenly moist soil rich in organic matter. ...
Spacing: Plants should be spaced 18-24 inches apart.
Planting: Plant bee balm in the spring or early fall.

Does bee balm need full sun?

Bee balms perform best in full sun. While plants tolerate partial shade, they won't flower as heavily and are more susceptible to powdery mildew. They also prefer moist, well-drained soils.

Are gladiolus poisonous to humans?

An ancient name for the gladiolus was xiphium, from the Greek word xiphos, also meaning sword. ... Some parts of the Gladiolus plant are poisonous if ingested and handling some species may cause skin irritation or allergic reactions.

What flowers are toxic to cats?

Plants That Are Toxic to Cats

Spring bulbs.
Amaryllis.
Autumn Crocus.
Azaleas and Rhododendrons.
Castor Bean.
Chrysanthemum.
Daffodils.

Are camellias poisonous to humans?

Camellia Toxicity

Camellias are rated by several groups such as the California Poison Center, the University of California and the University of Connecticut as safe garden plants. ... A safe rating means the plant is not toxic to humans.

Is bee balm toxic to dogs?

It contains cardiac glycoside, a toxin that can cause severe heart problems in pets. Instead, try: Bee Balm.

Does bee balm reseed itself?

Bee balm grows in a clump with 3-foot tall stalks. Most bee balm varieties are perennials and will grow in average to well-drained soil in full sun. ... Like other herbs in the mint family, bee balm is considered to be a bit invasive. It will easily self-sow and also spreads by underground rhizomes.

Is bee balm invasive?

Bee balm propagates by rhizomes, or runners, that spread under the ground to produce new shoots. ... This means your bee balm will eventually be far from where you planted it. So if you are asking the question, “is bee balm invasive,” the answer would be yes, under suitable conditions. Luckily, bee balm is very forgiving.

Is bee balm toxic to cats?

Some other plants that are safe for cats are herbs like bee balm, lavender, thyme and flowers like orchids, snapdragons, cockscomb, and many more. Consult a vet or do research before planting your flower bed.

What is another name for bee balm?

Monarda is a genus of flowering plants in the mint family, Lamiaceae. The genus is endemic to North America. Common names include bergamot, bee balm, horsemint, oswego tea, the latter inspired by the fragrance of the leaves, which is reminiscent of bergamot orange (Citrus bergamia).

Is Bergamot and bee balm the same thing?

Monarda, commonly called bee balm or bergamot, is also known by the names oswego tea and horsemint. ... Bergamot was identified in the sixteenth century by the Spanish medical botanist Nicolas de Monardes, whose name is used to identify this genus of plants.

Why did my bee balm die?

Hot temperatures coupled with low humidity or dry conditions can cause drooping and wilting in many plants, including bee balm. Heat causes the leaves to lose water through transpiration, especially in dry conditions. ... Temperatures above 86 degrees Fahrenheit can be a problem, and at 95 degrees the flowers can die.

What can I plant next to bee balm?

Bee balm adds color and height to an herb garden and should be planted near the center of the garden surrounded by your preference of shorter herbs grown as annuals, such as basil, thyme, chives and parsley.

What flowers are bees attracted to most?

Choose blue, purple and yellow: Bees find blue, purple and yellow flowers most appealing. Flat or shallow blossoms, such as daisies, zinnias, asters and Queen Anne's lace, will attract the largest variety of bees.

Should bee balm be cut back in the fall?

Deadhead faded blooms to encourage the plant to re-bloom in late summer. After the first frost in the fall, cut stems back to about 2 inches above the soil. (See local frost dates.) Divide bee balm every 2 to 3 years to ensure its vigor.

Does bee balm attract hummingbirds?

Keep the soil surrounding bee balm moist but not soggy. This perennial plant produces vivid cardinal-colored flowers in the summer months. The bright red color of the flowers and the sweet nectar they contain attract hummingbirds in droves.

How do you harvest bee balm for tea?

When & How To Harvest Bee Balm For Tea

The best time to harvest bee balm for making tea is in the late spring, or early summer before the flowers start to fade. Simply clip or pinch healthy leaves and flowers from the plant. Make sure you only use the healthy green ones though.