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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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Monarda, or bee balm as we call it, is a member of the mint family, and a popular plant for attracting hummingbirds and butterflies. These growing tips will help beginner gardeners establish these well-loved plants in a cottage-style garden. Bee balm does tend to grow freely, so it may need some taming after a few years, although it tends not be truly invasive like other members of the mint family.

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

Purple bee balm growing in the garden.

Growing Bee Balm (Monarda)

Purple bee balm (monarda) flower in garden.
Bee Balm (Monarda) – Balmy Purple

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.

I have a never-ending infatuation with the purple varieties and—don’t tell the others—hope to one day have them exclusively without any of the reds.

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 Fact & Growing Tips
  • Bee Balm Seeds
    • What do the seeds look like?
  • Frequently-Asked Questions
  • Resources
Purple monarda (bee balm) growing in garden with tall grass.

Bee Balm Plant Facts & Growing Tips

Pink and purple monarda (bee balm) flowers in the garden.

Bee Balm | Genus: Monarda

Red bee balm (Monarda) flower.

Bee Balm Growing Tips
Herbaceous perennial

• Hardiness Zones 2 to 9
• Sun to part sun
• Soil: does not like to dry out
• Member of mint family
• Spreads by runners (underground stems)
• Can be aggressive
• Native to North America

Shop Online: Buy bee balm seeds at Botanical Interests (US shipping)

Family Lamiaceae
Genus Monarda
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.

Wait! Before You Plant…

Empress of Dirt

Be sure any plants you choose are:

  1. Recommended for your growing zone.
  2. Not invasive in your area.
  3. Suitable for your growing conditions including sun, soil, water, and wind.
  4. Contribute to biodiversity by providing food, nectar, or habitat.
  5. Not too big for the space available when they reach maturity.

Frequently Asked Questions

What do bee balm seeds look like?

Dry bee balm flowerhead with seeds.
Dry bee balm flowerhead and seeds

Bee balm seeds are tiny—just a millimeter or two long!

Seed Saving

Collect 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.

Germination Tip

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.


Is bee balm invasive? Does bee balm spread?

Bee balm (Monarda) is a member of the mint family and spreads by runners (underground stems) and seed.

If you are growing this in Canada or the United States, it can be an aggressive grower.
This is a good example of a native plant that is beneficial to wildlife yet problematic for some growers.

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. 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. 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?

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

I have not checked for research specifically on this but it does seem that some plant hybrids and cultivars have different flower formations that make it more difficult for the pollinators to feed, so choose a variety of bee balm the local hummingbirds and bees recommend.

Do I need to prune bee balm?

No, no pruning is required.

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 appear all around it.

My bee balm flowers changed color. Why is this?

Yes, sometimes the flowers will change color.

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.

Related: 10 Flower Growing Secrets & Common Mistakes

Resources

Seed Storage

Optimum Seed Storage

Vintage delphinium seed packet.

The lower the temperature and moisture levels, the longer most seeds stay viable.

Seed Storage Options

Best temperature | 32-41°F (0-5°C)
Most fridges are in this range.

Also, room temperature (70°F/21°C or lower) is fine for short-term storage (1 year).

Store dry seeds and keep dry | Relative humidity below 50% | Keep away from light.

If moisture is an issue, use silica gel pack in containers.

Bee Balm Products

Pink bee balm monarda flower.
  • Bee Balm / Monarda seeds
  • Bee Balm / Monarda seeds
  • Monarda Essential Oil
  • Monarda: A Native American Medicine


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Read More

Want Pollinators in Your Garden?

Butterfly landing on white flower.
  • Choose plants including trees and shrubs used by local wildlife for food, nectar, or habitat.
    Options will be different in each growing region.
  • Avoid use of any products toxic to pollinators.
  • Keep it natural: don’t tidy up too much.
    Dead and decaying things nourish living things.

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

~Melissa the Empress of Dirt ♛

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