Bee Balm
Seed # 146
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 146
- Seed Name
- Bee Balm
- Variety
- Light Purple
- Category
- Herb
- Plant Family
- Lamiaceae
- Plant Type
- Bee balm / wild bergamot (Monarda spp.)
- Planting Method
- Direct Sow or Transplant
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Mar 1
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Jun 15
- Plantable Months
- March, April, May, June
- Indoor Start
- Mar 1 – Mar 24
- Direct Sow
- Apr 1 – May 15
- Transplant
- May 5 – Jun 15
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- Not recorded
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- 0 weeks
- Germination Days
- 7–14 days
- Harvest/Maturity
- Not recorded
- Succession Planting
- Not recorded
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- Not recorded
- Planting Depth
- Surface sow or cover very lightly
- Plant Spacing
- 18-24 in
- Row Spacing
- 24-36 in
- Thin-To Spacing
- 18-24 in
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun to partial shade
- Water Needs
- Keep evenly moist during establishment; avoid prolonged drought
- Soil Preference
- Moist, well-drained soil with good airflow
- Minimum Container Size
- 3-5 gal
- Plant Height
- 2-4 ft
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Perennial
- Container Friendly
- Yes
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- Yes
- Heat Tolerant
- Yes
- Drought Tolerant
- No
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- Yes
Garden Uses
Container Culinary Medicinal Pollinator TeaCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Yarrow | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Yarrow | Good Companion | Not recorded |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- Johnny's Selected Seeds; Johnny's; NC State Extension; UMN Extension mildew
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Start indoors 7–9 weeks before planting out, or direct sow. Sow shallowly because seed is small; exact species/cultivar should be confirmed from packet.
Original Start Planting Date: Mar 6 – Mar 20 indoors
Original Last Suggested Planting Date: ~Aug 14 for direct sowing to establish before fall frost
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Direct sow early spring – ~Aug 14; transplant from around May into midsummer while plants can establish.
Days to Harvest / Bloom: Leaves first year; many seed-grown plants flower strongest in year 2
Container Friendly: Yes; roomy container, ideally 5+ gal
Pollinator Friendly: Yes; excellent for bees, butterflies, hummingbirds
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Yes; aromatic leaves traditionally used for tea/culinary/herbal use. Not medical guidance.
Succession / Reusable Notes: Divide established clumps every few years. Deadhead for more bloom or leave some stems/seed heads for wildlife/native bee habitat.
Zone 6B Notes: Hardy in Zone 6B. Seed-grown plants may focus on roots/leaves first year and flower more fully the next season. Exact species/cultivar unknown from label.
Companion Plants: Coneflower, black-eyed Susan, yarrow, native grasses, other pollinator plants
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: Powdery mildew common with poor airflow. Many Monarda spread by underground stems; give room or contain.
Sources: Johnny's Selected Seeds: https://www.johnnyseeds.com/growers-library/flowers/monarda-bee-balm/monarda-bee-balm-key-growing-information.html | Johnny's: https://www.johnnyseeds.com/flowers/monarda-bee-balm/wild-bergamot-monarda-seed-827.html | NC State Extension: https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/monarda-media/ | UMN Extension mildew: https://extension.umn.edu/plant-diseases/powdery-mildew-flower-garden
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Zone 6B: Bee balm is a hardy perennial well suited to Zone 6B. Light-purple forms are common in Monarda fistulosa and in garden hybrids, but the packet does not identify the exact species or cultivar.
Germination: Bee balm seed is small and should be surface sown or barely covered. Exact germination timing is left null because the supplied packet does not identify the species.
Harvest: Leaves can be harvested before or during bloom for tea, and flowers can be cut as they open.
Seed Saving: Allow flower heads to mature and dry before collecting seed. Different Monarda species and cultivars may cross where compatible.
Special Care: Provide generous spacing and airflow because Monarda is susceptible to powdery mildew. The exact species cannot be determined from the color description alone, so species-specific germination and maturity values are intentionally null.
Research Source: NC State Extension Plant Toolbox — https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/monarda/ — Monarda perennial habit, 2-4 foot general height, purple flower forms and strong pollinator value
Research Source: Mt. Cuba Center — https://mtcubacenter.org/trials/monarda/ — Monarda didyma, Monarda fistulosa and hybrid garden forms, purple color range and large variation in mature size
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