Bee Balm
Monarda didyma
Also listed as Monarda coccinea, Monarda contorta
Also known as Scarlet Beebalm, Oswego Tea, Bergamot
Climate Match for your location
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Bee Balm is a showy native perennial with vibrant tubular flowers in red, pink, purple, or scarlet that attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. The aromatic foliage is edible and medicinal, commonly used for tea.
Why grow it
Bee Balm offers reliable mid-to-late summer flowering in a range of warm colors and produces nectar-rich blooms that consistently attract pollinators, making it a dependable choice for gardens designed to support beneficial insects. Compared to other Monarda species, M. didyma tends toward more robust growth and showier flowers, though it is more susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions. The dual-purpose foliage supports both ornamental and culinary uses without requiring special handling or processing.
Watch out for
Bee Balm spreads vigorously via rhizomes and can overtake adjacent plantings if not monitored or divided regularly, particularly in rich, moist soil. Powdery mildew commonly affects the foliage in high humidity or poor air circulation, reducing ornamental value though not typically harming plant vigor. Division every few years maintains plant vigor and helps prevent disease pressure.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
Bee Balm is a showy native perennial with vibrant tubular flowers in red, pink, purple, or scarlet that attract bees, hummingbirds, and butterflies. The aromatic foliage is edible and medicinal, commonly used for tea.
Climate Match for your location
See how well Bee Balm grows in your area.
Enter your ZIP code and we'll show you how this plant fits your local climate.
Why grow it
Bee Balm offers reliable mid-to-late summer flowering in a range of warm colors and produces nectar-rich blooms that consistently attract pollinators, making it a dependable choice for gardens designed to support beneficial insects. Compared to other Monarda species, M. didyma tends toward more robust growth and showier flowers, though it is more susceptible to powdery mildew in humid conditions. The dual-purpose foliage supports both ornamental and culinary uses without requiring special handling or processing.
Watch out for
Bee Balm spreads vigorously via rhizomes and can overtake adjacent plantings if not monitored or divided regularly, particularly in rich, moist soil. Powdery mildew commonly affects the foliage in high humidity or poor air circulation, reducing ornamental value though not typically harming plant vigor. Division every few years maintains plant vigor and helps prevent disease pressure.
Overview
- Form
- Growth Rate
- Size
- Dormancy
- Family
- Lamiaceae
Native to the United States
Native Range
Eastern North America
Native to: Connecticut, Delaware, Georgia, Indiana, Kentucky, Massachusetts, Maryland, Maine, Michigan, North Carolina, New Hampshire, New Jersey, New York, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Tennessee, Virginia, Vermont, West Virginia
Seasonality
Bloom Season
Harvest Season
Edible Parts
Season of Interest
Herb
Soft non-woody plants of the field layer.
Succession Role
Tolerances & Soil
Establishment & Care
- Establishment
- Maintenance
- Years to Bearing
- Propagation
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