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flowerPerennialEdible
Bee Balm
Monarda didyma
Also known as: bergamot, monarda, oswego tea
Native perennial with showy tubular flowers that attract hummingbirds and bees. Edible flowers and leaves for tea.
Growing Requirements
SunFull Sun
WaterMedium
Soil Type
Soil Drainage
Soil pH
Plant Spacing18–24″
Row Spacing24–36″
Planting Depth0.06–0.13″
Height24–48″
Spread18–36″
✗ Not Container Friendly✓ Raised Bed Friendly
Planting Schedule
Start Indoors
8–10 weeks before last frost
Transplant Outdoors
0–9 weeks after last frost
Germination
10–21 days
Days to Harvest
110–120 days
Zone Suitability
USDA Hardiness Zones
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
11
12
13
Zones 3–9
Can overwinter in appropriate zones
Perennial in zones 3–9
Prone to powdery mildew. Choose resistant varieties. Divide every 2-3 years. Spreads by runners.
Companion Plants
No companion data available for this plant yet.