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Planting and Growing Bee Balm (Monarda)

Flowering bee balm (Monarda) in the garden

Image Credit:
Tatyana Mut/Shutterstock
Botanical Name
Monarda spp.
Grown as
Perennial
USDA Zones
3a
3b
4a
4b
5a
5b
6a
6b
7a
7b
8a
8b
9a
9b
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Water Needs
Moderate
Height
1–3 feet
Spread
1–3 feet
Soil pH
Neutral
Bloom Time
Summer
Flower Color
Pink
Purple
Red
White
Special Features
Container-Friendly
Cut Flower
Erosion Control
Fragrant
Long Blooming
Low Maintenance
Winter Interest
Attracts Butterflies
Attracts Hummingbirds
Attracts Pollinators
Attracts Songbirds
Deer-resistant
Rabbit-resistant
Resilience
Clay Soil Tolerant
Cold Hardy
Heat-Tolerant
Plant Type
Flowers
Written By: Catherine Boeckmann Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Bee balm is a native North American clump-forming perennial that blooms in summer and lights up the garden with colorful, nectar-rich flowers and fragrant foliage. This easy-to-care-for plant is beloved by hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and hummingbird moths—making it a standout choice for pollinator and native plant gardens. 

Learn how to plant, grow, and care for bee balm, including tips for preventing powdery mildew and choosing native varieties such as wild bergamot (Monarda fistulosa) known for its lavender-pink tubular flowers, and scarlet bee balm (Monarda didyma) known for its red blossoms.

Flowers appear in 2- to 3-inch-wide heads from June through July, with colors ranging from white and pink to red, lavender, and purple. The flowers’ tubular shape makes them especially attractive to long-tongued pollinators, including hummingbirds and native bees. Find more flowers that are great for bees,

Pollinator Value

In the garden, bee balm is visited most often by hummingbirds, bees, butterflies, and hummingbird moths, all of which can reach the nectar deep inside the tubular flowers.  See more flowers to attract butterflies and hummingbirds! 

Bumblebees and a few other insects are too big to get into some of the smaller tubular flowers of some bee balms, so the insects practice something called “nectar robbing.” The insects bite small holes at the base of the flowers to reach nectar without pollinating the plant. While fascinating to observe, this behavior does not significantly harm the plant.

After flowering, seed heads attract birds in fall and winter, extending bee balm’s value beyond the growing season. See 12 plants with seed heads for the birds.

bee balm flower with a pollinator, a hummingbird moth
Hummingbird moths love bee balm!

Garden Design Use

Growing 2 to 4 feet tall, bee balm works well as a background or mid-border plant in flower beds and native plantings. Its bold flowers pair beautifully with coneflowers, black-eyed Susans, phlox, and ornamental grasses.

Bee balm is especially effective in:

Check out this video to learn more about the benefits of growing bee balm:

Planting

Where to Plant Bee Balm

Bee balm grows best in full sun (at least 6 hours daily). While it tolerates partial shade, plants grown with less sun:

  • produce fewer flowers
  • are more prone to powdery mildew

Provide moist, well-draining soil with a neutral to slightly acidic pH. Improve heavy or poor soil with compost or aged manure before planting.

When to Plant Bee Balm

  • Plant bee balm in spring or fall
  • Spring is the best time to divide and transplant established plants

How to Plant Bee Balm

Good air circulation is essential to prevent disease.

  • Space plants 18 to 24 inches apart
  • Water thoroughly after planting
  • Avoid overcrowding, which encourages powdery mildew

Growing

How to Care for Bee Balm

  • Keep soil evenly moist, especially during dry spells
  • Water every 7 to 10 days, soaking soil 6 to 8 inches deep
  • Apply mulch to conserve moisture and suppress weeds

Fertilizing

  • Bee balm generally does not need fertilizer. Too much nitrogen encourages leafy growth at the expense of flowers and increases disease risk.
  • Avoid fertilizer in general; apply only a sprinkling of a balanced product in spring, if desired.

Pruning & Deadheading

Dividing

Divide bee balm every 2 to 3 years to maintain vigor. (Clumps tend to die out from the center.)

Harvesting

Bee balm makes an excellent cut flower. Its aromatic leaves add fragrance to indoor arrangements.

  • Cut flowers just as they begin to open
  • Side shoots will continue blooming
  • Vase life—about 7 days

Pests and Problems

Diseases

Pests

Types

  • Monarda didyma (scarlet bee balm): bright red flowers; 3–4 feet tall. Mildew-resistant cultivars include:
    • ‘Marshall’s Delight’ (pink)
    • ‘Jacob Cline’ (deep red)
    • ‘Raspberry Wine’ (dark red)
  • Monarda fistulosa (Wild Bergamot): Native wildflower with lavender-pink blooms; late summer flowering; drought-tolerant once established
  • Monarda pringlei: compact; grow to 18 inches, highly mildew-resistant
    • ‘Petite Wonder’
    • ‘Petite Delight’ (pink)

pink bee balm flowers

Wit and Wisdom

  • The name bee balm comes from its historical use as a soothing treatment for bee stings.
  • Native Americans and early colonists used bee balm leaves and flowers to make medicinal salves, teas, and drinks.
  • A traditional tea made from bee balm was known as Oswego tea, named after a Native American word for a river in present-day New York.
  • Bee balm belongs to the mint family (Lamiaceae) and has fragrant foliage that’s sometimes used in herbal teas, salads, and garnishes. The flowers are edible, too.
  • Despite its name, wild bergamot bee balm is not the source of the bergamot flavor in Earl Grey tea, which comes from the rind of the bergamot orange, a citrus fruit.

Flowers

About The Author

Catherine Boeckmann

Catherine Boeckmann

Executive Digital Editor and Master Gardener

Catherine Boeckmann loves nature, stargazing, and gardening, so it’s not surprising that she and The Old Farmer’s Almanac found each other. She leads digital content for the Almanac website and is also a certified master gardener in the state of Indiana.

Read more from Catherine Boeckmann

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Comments

<span>Geo</span> Sat, 05/29/2021 - 12:53
I planted Red bee balm a couple years ago, this year it is Purple. Can you tell me why it is not Red.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 08/17/2021 - 14:16

If the petals are purple, it's probably reverting to its wild form. Hybrids are unpredictable, and will sometimes show traits from their genetic heritage. Enjoy whatever color shows up!

 <span>Tina</span> Mon, 05/03/2021 - 15:15
I have to say that bee balm in ultra violet is simply gorgeous. I am planting the red bee balm for the first time. I am sure I will love it. Have lots of bees where I live in florida.
<span>Trudy Chastkavich</span> Sun, 02/28/2021 - 11:34
You mention that Bee Balm seedheads provide food for birds in the fall and winter, yet you say that we are to cut it back to 2 inches after first frost. Why cut it back? Why not leave it for the birds to eat the seeds? Just wondering. Thanks
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Wed, 03/03/2021 - 13:43

It mostly comes down to personal preference! If you don't like the look of the dried seedheads in winter, then you can cut them down. Otherwise, they make for a nice snack for some bird species. 

Leaving them also allows them to seed themselves, so if you don't the plants to spread at all, that could be another reason for chopping them down in the fall.

 <span>Marilyn</span> Sun, 02/28/2021 - 10:44
Bee Balm grows wild here in Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado. We also call it horse mint. The wild variety that we have is only the lavender color.
<span>A Rockwell</span> Sun, 02/28/2021 - 09:04
I think some people do not get Bee Balm Blooms is because the crown of the plant gets too compacted; the flowers do not bloom; try dividing the root crown as the other poster says;
<span>A Rockwell</span> Sun, 02/28/2021 - 09:01
The reason Bee Balm is called Wild Bergamot is Bee Balm has the aroma Bergamot oranges; Bee Balm is not Bergamot; Bergamot oranges are used to make Bergamot Tea;
<span>Ronald</span> Sat, 02/27/2021 - 07:46
Bee balm (crown) die. The main roots will sprout tiny plants during growing season, dormant season (sometimes). I've dug up in early spring and transplanted ( even separating the individual plants along the root).
<span>Jill A Pangborn</span> Fri, 02/19/2021 - 11:50
I planted Bee Balm and it grew great for 3 yrs. Had lots of bees, but last year it did not come back. Does the plants only last for so many years?