Species lemon mint
Purple flowers with green sepalsm stems and leaves,

lemon mint

Monarda citriodora

Lemon Mint (Monarda citriodora), also known as Purple Horsemint, is an aromatic perennial herb native to North America. The plant is known for its fresh, lemon-scented leaves and delicate purple flowers. The flowers are attractive to bees and other pollinators. The leaves can be used as a seasoning for cooking, or brewed into tea. Lemon Mint is easy to grow and prefers full sun, but will tolerate some shade as well. It should be planted in well-drained soil and watered regularly.

Cycle:

Annual

Watering:

Minimum

Propagation:

Division,Cutting,Seed Propagation,Layering Propagation

Hardiness Zone:

2 - 11

Flowers:

Lavender to pink to white Flowers

Sun:

Full sun,part shade

Leaf:

Yes

Growth Rate:

Low

Maintenance:

Low

Drought Tolerant:

Yes

Salt Tolerant:

Yes

Care Level:

Medium

watering

Lemon mint plants should be watered when the top inch of soil is dry. Water thoroughly until the soil is saturated and then let the soil dry out once more before watering again. It is best to water in the morning or early evening, as this will reduce the risk of the plant being in excess moisture during the hottest periods of the day. During the hottest months of the year (typically June to August) the use of mulch can help conserve soil moisture. Lemon mint should be watered deeply and infrequently to avoid root rot, but they should not dry out completely between waterings either.

sunlight

Lemon mint (Monarda citriodora) should be planted in areas of the landscape that get full sun for at least 6 to 8 hours each day. While it prefers long days of bright sunlight, it can tolerate part shade in cooler climates. It should be grown in a location that offers ample air circulation to prevent fungal diseases and other pest problems. During periods of extreme heat, afternoon shade may be beneficial.

pruning

Lemon mint (Monarda citriodora) should be pruned 2 to 3 times a year. Pruning the plant helps maintain its shape and encourages healthy growth. To encourage maximum growth and robust flowering, prune in the late spring (May or June). Pruning in the late spring helps remove any dead or wilted stems that may have occurred during the winter, leads to healthier growth throughout the growing season, and encourages bushy, well-rounded growth. In the mid-summer (July or August), lightly prune any weak stems in order to shape the plant and control its size. Finally, late in the fall (September or October), prune the plant to remove any perennials and diseased stems. For each pruning session, remove no more than a third of the plant's growth to ensure that the plant does not experience significant shock.

Season

Fall
Winter
Spring
Summer
Sep
Oct
Nov
Dec
Jan
Feb
Mar
Apr
May
Jun
Jul
Aug
Starts Flowering

Lemon mint typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Starts Flowering

Lemon mint typically starts flowering in late spring, usually in May or June.

Hardiness Map