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How to Grow Bee Balm (Monarda) & Attract Pollinators

Published on June 21, 2020Last updated October 5, 2021 ♛ By Melissa J. Will

This post contains affiliate links.
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Bee balm is a mint-family favorite that draws hummingbirds and butterflies. These tips show how to plant it, keep it healthy, and prevent it from taking over.

For more, see all my plant suggestions for a cottage-style garden, and have a look around my garden here.

Purple bee balm in the garden.

Growing Bee Balm (Monarda)

Purple bee balm growing in the garden.

My practical reason for growing bee balm is probably the very reason why some don’t like it: it’s a reliable, lovely, tall plant that hummingbirds love and requires little or no maintenance.

Because it spreads by “runners” which are underground stems or stolons, one plant can become many in just a year or two. But, because the roots are shallow (just a few inches deep) it is much easier to control than other members of the mint family so I welcome it in my garden.

As a young gardener, I fell in love with the purple varieties. Over time I have noticed they are prone to powdery mildew and do not have the tenacity of the red ones. Today I have some purples, lots of reds, and bergamot (light purple blooms).

But, for now, I keep what I have because they are so popular with the pollinators and grow easily in my sandy soil.


Contents

  • Bee Balm Plant Facts & Growing Tips
  • Frequently-Asked Questions
    • What do bee balm seeds look like?
  • Resources

Purple bee balm flowers in garden beside tall green grasses.
Purple Monarda beside tall green grasses

Bee Balm Plant Facts & Growing Tips

Red and purple monarda flowers in garden.
Red Monarda and Purple Monarda flowers

Bee Balm | Genus: Monarda

Red bee balm (Monarda) flower.

Herbaceous perennial
• Hardiness Zones 2 to 9
• Sun to part sun – 4 hours or more total direct sun per day
• Soil: does not like to dry out
• Member of mint family
• Spreads by runners (underground stems)
• Can be aggressive
• Native to North America: there are also various cultivars.

  • Bee Balm Growing Tips
  • Shop Online: Buy bee balm seeds at Botanical Interests (US shipping)
FamilyLamiaceae
GenusMonarda
SpeciesApproximately 50 cultivars
Common name(s)Bee balm, horsemint, oswego, bergamot
Origin North America
TypeAnnual and perennial varieties
USDA Zones2 to 9
HeightUp to 5 feet tall (1.5m), some shorter varieties max out at 1-foot tall
SpacingNot an issue: crowding is natural because they spread by runners (roots)
Root depthShallow: bulk of roots are just 2 to 3 inches deep with some very fine roots reaching a few inches deeper. Total 6-inches.
Light Sun to part sun
SoilMoist, well-drained soil; does not like to dry out
Flower timesSummer | can deadhead or cutback after flowering
ColoursRed, purple, pink, lavender, white, mahogany
FertilizerNot required
AttractsHummingbirds and butterflies
PropagationDivide plants or sow seeds. Plant roots will also spread naturally.
Seed germinationNeed light to germinate: sow 1/8-inch deep.
Seed starting soil temperature60-70°F (16-21°C)
PinchingNot required to generate flowers
Pruning / Cutting backCut back after flowering unless saving seeds or feeding birds
Cut flowers / Vase LifePick when flower whorls start to show color at end of day. Lasts 7 to 10 days in vase if preservative is used.
ProblemsSpreads by underground by runners: may be aggressive in some areas.
Prone to powdery mildew (Erysiphe cichoracearum) or leaf spot.
Trivia | UsesCrushed leaves produce a spicy, fragrant oil.
Monarda fistulosa and M. didyma historically used for medicinal purposes as antiseptic skin poultices.
Bergamot plant budding in garden.
Bergamot budding before flowering

Wait! Before You Plant…

Be sure any plants you choose:

  • Are recommended for your plant hardiness zone and growing conditions.
  • Are not invasive in your area.
  • Are suitable for your growing conditions including sun, soil, water, and wind.
  • Contribute to biodiversity by providing food, nectar, or habitat for wildlife.
  • Will not be too big for the space at mature size.

You can read more ecological gardening tips here.


Frequently Asked Questions

Dry bee balm flowerhead with seeds.
Dry bee balm flowerhead and seeds
What do bee balm seeds look like?

Bee balm seeds are dark in color, oval in shape, and tiny—just a millimeter or two long!

When should I save bee balm seeds?

Collect bee balm seeds when the flowerheads are brown and dry, approximately 1 to 3 weeks after flowering.

Because of their size, it’s best to place the dry flowerhead in a paper bag and shake it to release the seeds.

Saved seeds should remain viable for two years in optimum storage conditions.

Do bee balm seeds need light to germinate?

Unlike many other seeds, bee balm seeds need light to germinate so we sow them at a shallow depth of 1/8-inch or less.

Adding bee nesting block to planter

How to Make a Container Pollinator Garden

Use native plants to create a mini pollinator garden in a planter.

Purple bee balm flower in garden.
Bee Balm (Monarda) – Balmy Purple
Is bee balm invasive? Does bee balm spread?

Yes, bee balm can be invasive (if non-native) or aggressive (if native) depending on where it is growing. As a member of the mint family, bee balm (Monarda) spreads by runners (underground stems) and seed. Growing natively, it is both beneficial to wildlife yet can spread aggressively.

In my experience (southwestern Ontario, Canada), it is not, however, truly invasive like some mints where the roots are nearly impossible to remove. Bee balm roots tend to be shallower and easy to pull. If it was like mint, I would only grow it containers.

I let it spread in my garden and pull some out every few years to leave room for other plants.

It is always good to check with your local university extension office or conservation group to research any plants you want to grow and be sure you are making environmentally-beneficial choices for your region.

Can I grow bee balm from seed?

Yes, you can grow bee balm from seed. If you want to try a native species, look for it sold under the name Bergamot. I start mine from seed indoors and transplant it into the garden in late spring.

Can I grow bee balm in containers?

Yes, you can grow bee balm in containers. In my experience, you can grow just about anything in a container if you can provide the required growing conditions (sun, water, nutrients, good potting mix, and room for roots to grow).

Look for dwarf varieties of Monarda if you want something more compact for growing in pots.
The catch is that, depending on your climate, you may need to overwinter them to prevent the soil (and therefore, roots) from freezing.

Which color of bee balm do hummingbirds like?

Hummingbirds are attracted to bee balm in general and seem to prefer red bee balm more than other colors if there are choices present.

I have pink, purple, and red bee balm. The hummers spend most of their time with the red flowers, though they do take nectar from the others as well.

Do I need to prune bee balm?

Bee balm does not require any pruning. Bee balm is a herbaceous perennial and at the end of the growing season the flowers and stems die back. Leave them for the winter to provide habitat for invertebrates—all those essential creatures that bring life to the garden and need a safe place to spend the winter. Late spring cut the old growth down to 6-inches. New growth will emerge from the soil.

My bee balm flowers changed color. Why is this?

Yes, sometimes bee balm flowers will change color often because they are unstable hybrids.

There are lots of Monarda hybrids and hybrids by nature have unpredictable reproduction, often displaying traits from their genetic heritage. So don’t be surprised if a light pink or purple one is red next year.

Bee balm can also cross-pollinate so yours may be getting pollinated by some neighboring bee balm flowers in different colors.

If your experience is like mine, one color will become dominant over the years. In my case, I love the deep purple ones but I have ended up with a garden of red flowers.
I suspect the key is to love whatever shows up.

Bergamot blooming in garden.
Light purple Bergamot blooming in garden

Related: 10 Flower Growing Secrets & Common Mistakes

Resources

Seed Storage

Optimum Seed Storage

Vintage delphinium seed packet.

Seeds need to be kept dry and cool in darkness for optimal storage.

  • Short-term (1-2 years), room temperature (70°F/21°C or lower) and moderate or low humidity (60% or less) is fine for most seeds.
  • Longer-term (2+ years) or if household conditions are not optimal, store seeds in refrigerator using airtight containers.

Learn More

  • Seed Storage: Top Tips For Storing Seeds at Home
  • Garden Seeds: A Simple Way to Keep Organized
  • Seed Storage Containers: Simple Options Gardeners Love

Bee Balm Products

  • Bee Balm / Monarda seeds
  • Bee Balm / Monarda seeds
  • Monarda Essential Oil
  • Monarda: A Native American Medicine

Listen

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Want Pollinators in Your Garden?

  • Choose plants, trees, and shrubs used by local wildlife for food and habitat during all stages of life. Options will be different in each growing region.
  • Avoid products like pesticides that are toxic to pollinators and other animals in the food chain.
  • Keep it natural: sustainable gardens are not tidy. Dead and decaying things nourish living things. 

Might your neighbors object? This shares how to warm them up to the idea.

Happy gardening! And be sure to sign up for the free newsletter.

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

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Purple bee balm growing in the garden.
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Melissa J. Will - Empress of DirtWelcome!
I’m Melissa J. Will a.k.a. the Empress of Dirt (Ontario, Canada).
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