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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>Karen Lachney</span> Sat, 10/24/2020 - 18:26
I have it in full sun, moist yet it never blooms appears healthy too
<span>Kyra Cammarata</span> Thu, 08/06/2020 - 00:31
The native hummingbirds here seem to love it!
<span>Happygardener</span> Mon, 07/20/2020 - 11:37
I planted a large clump of Raspberry Wine in my herb garden this spring. We had a lot of rain, so the leaves began to fall off about 2 weeks in. The plant bloomed beautifully, despite the nakedness. We have had extreme heat recently, and the remaining leaves have hung on at the top of the plant. There are a few new leaves developing where another bloom is sprouting, & I deadheaded to that point. Should I cut the remaining stems to the ground? Thank you!
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 07/28/2020 - 16:17

If the stems are unsightly and/or you think they have no life left in them you could cut them down. This tas is usually done in the fall anyway; doing it sooner should not hurt the plant.

 <span>Connie Douglas</span> Sat, 07/18/2020 - 13:37
I bought my first Bee Balm plant ‘this year and planted it in a big pot. It was doing very well, but no flowers yet. I fertilized it recently, I had not looked up how to care for it yet. I live in the south and it is in the mid 90’s or more right now. The leaves are brown on the edges and I figured it’s from the fertilizer. I started picking those leaves off, but there are so many. What do you suggest?
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Tue, 07/28/2020 - 16:19

Leave the plant alone in plenty of sun. Water until the water runs out the bottom and not again until the soil is almost dry,

 <span>Ruth</span> Sun, 07/12/2020 - 10:04
My bee balm use to be beautiful! It now forms blooms but then turns brown and never matures into a flower. Thank for your suggestions!
<span>Pat</span> Fri, 07/10/2020 - 09:04
I have not had success with Bee Balm. Have tried a couple of times with plants that seem to bloom and develop for two seasons or so, then dry up and completely disappear. Disappointing because I love the plant and the flowers.
<span>Eve</span> Sat, 06/13/2020 - 14:29
I’ve a large area devoted to bee balm plants. I have not had one bee this year and it’s quite concerning me. Is this natural ? Maybe miss a year ? I’ve very worried about the bees.
<a title="View user profile." href="/author/editors">The Editors</a> Mon, 06/15/2020 - 16:21

Tough to know for sure why there aren't more bees in your area, as it depends on where you're located, your climate, and what's nearby. What sort of bees had you been seeing in the past? It could be that there was a domestic honeybee hive located nearby, but now it's been relocated (or didn't survive winter). Or perhaps there was more pesticide use on local fields where bees would normally congregate? In any case, we hope they'll return to your bee balm patch!